Akata.

[KravenMorehead™]

Akata​

Contrary to popular opinion among non-Yorubas and some Nigerians or Africans who does not understand this word, akata does not mean coton picker or slave and it is not derogatory.

It means a cat that doesn't live at home like a wild non domesticated cat, this is used to reference mostly African Americans as they are considered Africans by all Africans but the fact that they don't live in Africa make them akata while those of us who live at home can be considered as Ologbo (cat).

It is no different from an African American calling his buddies "cat" , it is just that the Yorubas recognize the fact that this is a cat that isn't at home.

I am Yoruba who also studied Yoruba in high school and have a better understanding of this word than any none Yoruba or Yoruba who have never studied Yoruba as a language.

It is also another word used to identify Africans who have visited America.

On a recent visit back to Nigeria, a friend was asked about the Iraq war and he directed the question to his friend another Nigerian who was visiting home from America.

" why are you asking me that?, ask the akata here , he can answer it"

The Nigerian have also become an akata because he no longer lives at home.

This is a Yoruba word and only a Yoruba can truly know what it means, for more information search online for Yoruba dictionary, then email the Yorubas listed on the contact page for meaning of akata and they may be able to help you further.

Akata​

Akata is a slang sometimes used to describe Black/African Americans. It is also used to describe Africans who have lived in America for a considerable length of time.

• 'Akata' in Yoruba language means 'fox'.

[edit] Paul Adujie
A Nigerian residing in New York sees the use of the word in some ways akin to the derogatory '******' slang used by non blacks, in his words,- "I am AGAINST the use of the word Akata as a description, name or label for African Americans.... In my experience, the word Akata is used derisively and denigratingly.

African Americans and all peoples of African descent worldwide, are part of our continental African family tree. They are our siblings...they the bones of our bones, the blood of our blood and the flesh of our flesh. Denigrating peoples of African descent, is the moral equivalents of self-denigration! or self-loathing.

Nigerians in particular, should set the pace... in reconnecting peoples of African descent worldwide... to continental Africa... in view of Nigeria's size, Nigeria's wealth, level of higher education and Nigeria's potentials... Nigerians should be pacesetters for Africans and peoples of African descent worldwide..... Nigerians should not be one to coin disrespectful labels for Diaspora Africans... Nigerians should and ought to lead economically, politically, philosophically and culturally etc in relation to other continental Africans and all peoples of African descent. We are in the same boat... historically... a boat that apparently made different stops.

Continental Africans and all peoples of African descent have suffered the same cold hands of fate dealt us by history. From Slavery to Colonialism and racism etc

We are forever linked and we should be saying and doing things that unite us. We should be expansive and inclusive in our outlook."


Usage- The slang is more common among un-educated young Nigerians.

A full discussion on 'Akata' inspired by this page, in the most authentic Nigerian discussion forum can be found here- NigeriaVillageSquare

What is the real definition of the word "Akata" which is used by Nigerians in designating African Americans? ​

Best Answer: Simple Definition: The word akata is actually a word from the language of the Fanti tribe of West Africa.The word was later assimilated into the more popular Yourba language. Although, its basic meaning is "African American" but over time it has come to have derogatory connotations due to tensions between African immigrants and African Americans. The original word is not offensive and the resulting connotation is as a result of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

The term was popularised in Hollywood by the movie Sugar Hill.

The word akata is a Yoruba word, it is used for a cat that does not live at home, the cat that lives at home is called Ologbo or Ologinni,so by calling African Americans akata they are only implying that the African Americans are blacks that don't reside in the continent of Africa though it is often used to refer to African Americans because of the movie it can actually apply to any African Living outside of Africa ,the Yoruba's don't use it as a derogatory word, If a Yoruba called an African who is visiting Africa akata it rather confer some higher social status on them, having been to America (God's own country , as Nigerians call America).

Source(s): wikipedia - not the best I know



Akata - NigerianWiki
Urban Dictionary: akata
What is the real definition of the word "Akata" which is used by Nigerians in designating African Americans?