Oja Oba — the King's Market — is the central market of Oshogbo, located directly across from the Oba of Oshogbo's palace. It is one of the oldest and most important Yoruba markets in the region, and still functions as a real commercial market rather than a tourist show. Traders sell everything from fresh produce and textiles to herbal medicines and juju supplies — the ritual items used in Yoruba traditional religion.
The market is especially good for adire — the indigo-dyed cloth that is one of Oshogbo's traditional crafts — and for carved wooden items, beaded jewellery, and the kind of religious paraphernalia that is hard to find elsewhere. Come in the morning for the best atmosphere, and be prepared to bargain. The proximity to the palace means you may also encounter ceremonies or royal events spilling into the market area.