A day in the market

Shops made of red mud and thatch roofs lined both sides of the pathway. None of them had doors, the sellers came to the market with their wares every morning and returned with them in the evening. In front of the shops, goods of fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh fishes, cups of spices, plantains, basins of rice, garri and beans, etc were arranged on wooden tables.

The sun mercilessly shone down upon the village market. Beads of sweat glistened on everyone's forehead. Some held a hand against their forehead to shield themselves from the sun, others made fans out of old newspapers and magazines.

The salty odour of sweat mingled with the nose tingling aroma of spices and the strong smell of freshly slaughtered meat. All these mixed together gave the market a unique scent, which hung heavy in the air.

A naked child ran frantically after his dog breaking through Nosa and Uche, who quietly turned after him and smiled. Image of themselves at that age flashed before their eyes.