A Village Market
A village market is a place where people from nearby villages gather to buy and sell daily necessities. It plays an important role in the life of villagers and is considered the backbone of the rural economy. Most village markets are located at the centre of the village or near a crossroads, making it easily accessible to all.
There are two types of village markets: the daily market and the weekly market. The daily market is called a 'bazar', which sits every morning. The weekly market is known as a 'hat', and it is held once or twice a week, usually starting in the forenoon and continuing till the evening.
Shops in a village market are usually arranged in an organized manner. There are three types of shops:
Open space shops – These are temporary shops set up in the open, where items like fish, milk, fruits, vegetables, and betel leaves are sold. These shops are placed in rows, often with similar types of goods grouped together.
Temporary shops – These are held in sheds with only roofs. Here, you can find items like salt, spices, oil, and other grocery goods.
Permanent shops – These include grocers, tailors, cloth dealers, stationers, and tea sellers. These shops are built with stronger materials and remain open all year round.
A village market is divided into several sections, such as the fish market, vegetable market, fruit market, rice market, and so on. Among these, the fish and vegetable sections are the most crowded and noisy.
One common feature of a village market is bargaining. Nothing is usually bought or sold without haggling over the price. It is also a place where villagers meet, talk, and exchange news, apart from shopping. So, it also works as a social hub.
A village market is truly an important part of rural life. It helps people buy and sell goods easily, without having to travel long distances. It serves not just economic needs, but also strengthens the social ties among villagers.
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