A throbbing tribal market
by KIMSUK RAY
The throbbing tribal market at Mardum, Chattisgarh, India.
When I entered a colourful arena of a sprawling market complex, as it should be termed not keeping in mind the rural backdrop, I was greeted by the jingle of glass bangles shimmering in the morning light. The tribal women folk of the Bastar district buzzed over the bangles and other pieces of jewellery that are sold along with an endless list of commodities. As I made my way through the meandering muddy pathway flaunting with men and women busy buying and selling wares from books and copies to dried tamarinds, i was struck by the wide range of goods. Fresh vegetables, seeds for the field, dried and fresh fishes, metal and earthen utensils, umbrellas, cloth materials, sarees, chappals, rice, cane baskets, perfumes, oils, cosmetics, samosas, jalebis and whatnot. Reaching an open space at one end of the market I found a considerable number of villagers making themselves happy with the drink from the Mahuya flower and fermented rice. At ₹10 per glass ( 50ml ) served in a typically folded leaf of the shaal tree, I was enthralled by the freshness and sweetness of the drink so cherished by the local people in this Saturday haat. The beats of the drum added much to the mood that the overcast July sky had set in as the day unravelled and the hustle and bustle of the weekly market enhanced. Cocks with resplendent crests won adorations as their masters proudly roamed the market with the handsome birds. The tribal village market witnessing many locals with android phones grasped in their hands suddenly burst out into a primitive milieu as the cock fight reached the zenith. I was convinced that I have left my urban life far behind and was once more reliving my early instincts.
