Lalibela Weekend Market

Lalibela, a lovely town of about 35,000 people perched at an altitude of 2,600 meters among vast rocky peaks, is known for a cluster of 13 churches built during the 12th century, and possibly a bit later. The churches were not actually built, but excavated underground out of rock. They are amazing feats of 12th century architecture. Each church, with its own characteristics, is still used for worship. We visited the churches and saw crowds of people in their traditional white shawls gathering for prayer. 

However fascinating the churches (a UNESCO World Heritage site) are, the Sarturday market in Lalibela is even more colorful. People walk for miles to the market from their rural villages to sell their wares and to buy what they need from the other vendors. Many of the villagers have several donkeys walking alongside them on the narrow dirt roads. Others lead small herds of goats to the market, which they hope to sell. 

In the market there is entire section for onions.

A few vendors sold sugar cane.

Many people sold grains including teff, wheat, barley and sorghum. 

Two young women are negotiating a purchase. 

The aromas entice you as you stroll through the section with spices. 

The noisy section for livestock gives you a selection of cattle, 

goats, donkeys.

Even live chickens are for sale.

Non-food goods take up a sizable section of the market.

Handwoven shawls are worn by both men and women.

Smaller pieces of fabric are used for belts; larger weavings

for bedding. By midday, the temperature is quite high and every option

to create shade is used.

Ubiquitous plastic sandals are available in ever color imaginable. 

Baskets serve many purposes. These pictured are used

for serving meals - injera covered with beans, meats, and vegetables.

In the morning, we saw droves of people carrying heavy loads to the market on their heads or their backs, or walking with donkeys alongside them bearing one to three large sacks.  At the end of the long, hot, dusty day, people were walking back to their villages with smaller parcels and donkeys relieved of their burdens.