Primitive humans lived on meat that they hunted in the jungles and woods, or on fish from rivers and seas. Eventually they discovered that they could cultivate wheat, barley and corn as well as vegetables. They thus began farming which required fertile land and suitable climates. Whenever there was surplus production of meat,
wheat, corn or whatever, it was stored for years of drought or for exchanging against other goods. Then humans discovered the wheel, one of mankind’s greatest discoveries, which helped them travel fast and smoothly. They
could thus carry their goods from one village to another nearby, and trade them against other goods.

Eventually neighboring villages chose certain points for the exchange of goods and the daymarkets emerged which have continued down to our days. These markets continued as an effective and indispensable human activity. They still survive despite the presence of the modern supermarket. In Paris, for example, they are considered as a part of Parisian life that should never cease.

Not only do they serve the local people but they are also very attractive events that gather tourists in large numbers, and help preserve the spirit of the city. In Iran many a bazaar-erooz (day-markets) are found in the north of the country where villages and small towns are numerous and close to one another.

In the region surrounding the city port of Anzali, for example, there is a market that moves from one tiny town or village to another, 6 days a week each day at one place, and named after the particular day, on which it is held, e.g. shanbe bazaar (Saturday Market), held on Saturdays in Anzali itself.

Although today one finds industrially produced goods, such as plastic and PVC products, electrical appliances
etc being sold in these markets, they remain essentially agricultural, run generally by rural families who produce what they offer in the market. And though the prices of the goods are not much lower – sometimes even slightly higher – than they are in the supermarkets of the nearby towns, people prefer to shop in the day-market as an exciting event on a colorful day, a traditional ceremony.

The variety of goods offered in these markets is of great significance. Just like the chain supermarket in the West, these day-markets offer a large variety of goods though, as pointed out earlier, they are primarily
agriculture-oriented.

What is most interesting is that the space of the market is divided among the sellers by unuttered agreements. On each day each person or family finds their own place, the same place always. In the absence of the seller the space is left empty, no one encroaches on his/her right. The products offered in these markets include vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, rice, herbal medicines, cloths, china ware, plastic home tools such as brooms, etc.

It requires little capital to participate in such markets: a few hens that lay eggs, a cow that provides milk, a small plot of land that can be used to grow cucumbers and tomatoes… If you happen to visit those parts, make sure you buy some eggs or cheese in the day-market. It is quite an experience.

Photo by K Movaghar