Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 8, 2026

Box hand

Box hand, also known simply as box, is a traditional community lending model in Antigua and Barbuda where members of a community pay into a "box" monthly, and members of the box receive a portion of the total until every member of the box has had at least one turn to withdraw. The model originates from the Yoruba concept of esusu, and the idea has spread throughout the Caribbean. Box hands are often used in charities and among people who have shared common experiences.

Last revised
Jul 8, 2026
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≈ 1 min
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Wikipedia ↗

Box hand, also known simply as box, is a traditional community lending model in Antigua and Barbuda where members of a community pay into a "box" monthly, and members of the box receive a portion of the total until every member of the box has had at least one turn to withdraw.12 The model originates from the Yoruba concept of esusu, and the idea has spread throughout the Caribbean.3 Box hands are often used in charities and among people who have shared common experiences.41

References

References

  1. afadmin (2017-07-24). "Antigua & Barbuda: Using a "Box Hand" Community Lending Model for Adaptation Finance". Adaptation Fund. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  2. jennelsa.johnson (2024-10-01). "Alleged 'box hand' fraudster granted $70K bail". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  3. Lawrence, Joy. The Way We Talk and other Antiguan and Barbudan Folkways. ISBN 978-9769520240.
  4. "Christmas Box - Antigua SDA Cooperative Credit Union Ltd". 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2025-04-13.