If Google were human, the 24-year-old search engine would have been surprised why it’s inundated with, what is Sapa?
The term “God when” used to be the favourite among Nigerians, expecting a miraculous turnaround in their lives, especially in romantic relationships or financial matters.
Only God knows when Sapa crept into Nigeria like a thief in the night, and the slang is on everybody’s lips. Well, almost everyone who isn’t rich and financially secure screams, “Sapa dey ooooooooooooooooooo.”
Let’s talk about Sapa – the reality of the life of many Nigerians.
What is Sapa?
According to Urban Dictionary, Sapa is a Nigerian Pidgin English term to describe “a state of being extremely broke or poor, usually after spending extravagantly.”
This meaning of Sapa, which is partly correct, was obviously not written by a Nigerian! Sapa is Sapa and has little or nothing to do with “usually after spending extravagantly.”
If you’re temporarily or permanently broke, you’re Sapa.
Sapa means or denotes poverty. Sapa is a feeling of incapacity in financial matters or a relative lack of wealth.
Sapa means to be very poor.
However, the dictionary gave brilliant ways of using Sapa in a sentence.
1. I fit see garri drink for your hand? Sapa don hold me.
This made us laugh out loud. However, the second example saw us rolling on the floor laughing.
2. Them no dey tell person, when Sapa hit you, you go know.
Sapa is one of the most dreaded nightmares of every Nigerian, and nobody wants to be hit by it!
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Origin of Sapa
Before Nigeria happened to Sapa and became associated with penury, the Latin word was a grape juice evaporated to a syrupy or honey consistency and used especially in the 16th century to cure cough. In English, Sapa is a large brook, a small river.
In Nigeria, the origin of Sapa can be traced to the South-west. The Yorubas first used the word Sapa, but it wasn’t meant to cure a cough or explain river flow. It was even pronounced differently. Now, Sapa is not only used by the descendants of Oduduwa as it has become a common slang in Pidgin like e choke, we meuuve, chop breakfast, japa, who dey breeett, ma fo, aza, and ment.
Why is Sapa so popular in Nigeria?
Sapa has established itself as a topic of discussion because, as we said earlier, it exemplifies the reality of the life of many Nigerians. Most of this set of Nigerians are young people who live offline but mainly online and use this term the most.
These technologically savvy Nigerians have given Sapa a life of its own via WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. They have made Sapa popular by using their posts on the subject to mimic their lives.
Sapa has made some become motivational speakers, and 90 percent of their posts have a common theme of “tough times never last, but tough people do.” This optimism has made Sapa popular.
Jose Mourinho says he’s the Special One. Sapa, however, has made some youths The Angry Ones. They intentionally antagonize others online by posting offensive comments once they are broke.
Sapa is so popular that it has made some budget freaks. People in this group write lists and come up with a scale of preference when they are expecting some money. But once a credit alert hits their accounts, they spend the money impulsively. They cry Sapa on Twitter afterward.
Why won’t Sapa be popular?
Sapa is very popular because it has made some youths become Wizkid and Tems rolled into one! When people in this category are broke, they have recourse to music. They sing to high heaven on social media and pray for manna to drop.
Even those that are nonchalant have made Sapa to be popular. They know the problem has no end and would rather use their last N500 to eat instead of wallowing in self-pity. Sapa no dey finish!
But do you know you can end the Sapa curse? Let’s tell you how.
READ: How to Transfer Money from First Bank
How to overcome Sapa syndrome
Sapa may be the leading buzzword on Twitter and co., but you can rid your life of it if you do the following.
Set realistic goals
Sapa is very stubborn, and you have to be SMART to outsmart it. You must set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. You must be intentional and determined to be Sapa-free. Your future goals and how to use money wisely must be properly and strategically planned.
Have a budget
Impulsive spending attracts Sapa. You and Sapa will continue to live happily ever after if you spend money at every opportunity. A budget will help you control excessive spending and eliminate impulsive purchases.
But it would be best if you stuck with it. And that’s the hardest part. If you want to kiss Sapa goodbye and make it green with envy, having and sticking with a budget is the only way out.
Live within your means
If you can’t stick to a budget, live within your means. You cannot be earning like an ant and eating like a lion. You must prioritize savings and live within your means. Telling Sapa to get behind you like Satan requires understanding your earnings and living within a specified limit.
Save for rainy days
You might say it rains every day in your life and comes up with over 101 reasons the act is impracticable. Good luck to you. However, savings are the shield of protection you need against whatever the world throws at you, including Sapa.
The ‘good’ side of Sapa
Anything that has a disadvantage has an advantage, right? Before you say, “it’s not my portion,” here are the ‘advantages’ of Sapa.
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You know your genuine friends
When you have nothing to offer because you and penury are 5 and 6, you’ll see the people that still crave your company. Sapa will expose your fake friends to the real ones.
No one will ask you for money
Since you’re down on your luck, you’re indirectly dead to the world. Your family and friends won’t remember your existence. The best part is that when you’re back on your feet, they won’t know. They will, though, if you didn’t learn from your Sapa experience.
Sapa makes you close to yourself
With Sapa, you will learn to enjoy your own company. Nobody wants you around in the first place, so there’s no better time to know why God created you!
Peace of mind
With Sapa in your corner rooting for you, you won’t have the time and data to argue online with that your friend that japa without telling you. Do you even care if Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi?
Sapa could bring out your creativity
Sapa brought out the creativity in J. K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. If you have a book in you, Sapa can do the same for you.
Faster decision making
Your options are limited because you’re broke, which speeds up your decision-making process.
You become appreciative
With Sapa, you will develop an attitude of gratitude. An urgent ₦2k bailout means so much to you that you will pray for the 90th generation of the giver.
Conclusion
If you and Sapa are still the best of friends after reading this article, we’re sorry. But then, it wasn’t our aim to make you enemies.
We only wanted to answer the question, what is Sapa?!
Listen to our Podcast Episode on SAPA for more about this topic Here
