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.
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.
" 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.
by Waheed ALABEDE March 13, 2007
Akata Means African American, Black American. This term is specifically used by people of Yoruba (Nigeria) descent living in the U.S.
by Ernst Stavro Blofeld January 22, 2006
A name from the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria for African-Americans. It is rumoured to mean 'slaves' or 'captives', and often carries a derogatory connotation. Some say that the literal definition is 'cotton picker' - The term was popularised in Hollywood by the movie Sugar Hill.
This term has been picked up by Africans in the United States. Many Africans that pick up the word however are not aware that it is derogatory as they do not know the origins and do not know the yoruba language so depending on whos saying it, they may mean it as an insult. If the person is Nigerian, particualry of Yoruba origin, they may have a better understanding of why they are using that word.
This term has been picked up by Africans in the United States. Many Africans that pick up the word however are not aware that it is derogatory as they do not know the origins and do not know the yoruba language so depending on whos saying it, they may mean it as an insult. If the person is Nigerian, particualry of Yoruba origin, they may have a better understanding of why they are using that word.
It was an akata party.
They were playing akata music.
She thinks shes an Akata, thats why she acts like that.
He acts like an Akata.
They were playing akata music.
She thinks shes an Akata, thats why she acts like that.
He acts like an Akata.
by Ms T November 21, 2005
A term that originally comes from the Yoruba tribe, but has been picked up other Naijas in an attempt to mask their inferiority complex towards African Americans.
The term simply means "fox" or "cat"; however, many non-Yoruba Naijas get their knowledge from movies and ignorantly think it means "cotton picker".
The term simply means "fox" or "cat"; however, many non-Yoruba Naijas get their knowledge from movies and ignorantly think it means "cotton picker".
"I feel inferior around these amazing African Americans, so I will call then AKATA to make myself feel somewhat in control."
by Dr. Akata Scholar December 25, 2007
derogatory term used by west african immigrants for african americans. There are two meanings, cotton-picker and fox.
by drivel June 02, 2005
Akata is an abbreviated Igbo word, akataka, which means: a tough man like Okonkwo in Chinue Achebe's "Things Fall Apart".
With the emergence of westernization and woman's empowerment, the abbreviated form “akata” was used to describe a tough Igbo wife/woman that can drive away all her husband’s relatives and isolate him from his family so as to gain access to all his wealth when he passed away without given his relatives any chance to claim some part of his properties as is the custom of Igbo people.
When Igbos (in Nigeria) started migrating to America, they found African American ladies tough to control and wayward unlike the laid-back attitude the Igbos are accustomed to. They christened them akata, but now it is equal used for both male and female African Americans.
n. (1) an African American (especially a wayward one).
(2) a tough Igbo woman.
With the emergence of westernization and woman's empowerment, the abbreviated form “akata” was used to describe a tough Igbo wife/woman that can drive away all her husband’s relatives and isolate him from his family so as to gain access to all his wealth when he passed away without given his relatives any chance to claim some part of his properties as is the custom of Igbo people.
When Igbos (in Nigeria) started migrating to America, they found African American ladies tough to control and wayward unlike the laid-back attitude the Igbos are accustomed to. They christened them akata, but now it is equal used for both male and female African Americans.
n. (1) an African American (especially a wayward one).
(2) a tough Igbo woman.
In Igbo:
O na anu onye akata = He is marrying an akata (a tough woman).
Ndi akata juru na party ahu = The party is filled with akatas.
In America:
Well, I'm new here, you can ask this akata (African American, not black immigrants from Africa)
Don't marry (an) akata, she will soon divorce you
O na anu onye akata = He is marrying an akata (a tough woman).
Ndi akata juru na party ahu = The party is filled with akatas.
In America:
Well, I'm new here, you can ask this akata (African American, not black immigrants from Africa)
Don't marry (an) akata, she will soon divorce you
by m006 March 26, 2010