Carpet Market:
Back in town, the carpet and hat markets are in the
City Bazaar -- just behind the main square. 1985 photos:
Left: Here long and loud discussions ensue between the carpet buyers
and those who have travelled days to sell their carpets.
Close-up;
Right: Finally a deal is struck, and everyone seems satisfied.
Close-up.
City Bazaar:
Left: Yes, the carpet market is also for retail. And
foreigners continue to try and lug these bulky souvenirs home!
Right: The ancient precinct of the old city bazaar is
still used as a daily market, but its narrow passages could no
longer confine the throngs of the Sunday Market.
City Bazaar:
Just because the Market Grounds are now outside
of town doesn't mean that the city isn't also packed to overflowing.
Left: The permanent stalls of butchers, hatters, carpenters,
blacksmiths, and many others line the narrow alleys of the City Bazaar.
Close-up;
Right: And these too, are thronged on Sundays.
Close-up.
City Bazaar:
Left: Other permanent shops in the city bazaar include those
selling hardware, knives, and furs from the mountains.
Right: And of course, all manner of hats, hats, hats.
Market Day:
Visitors throng the warrens of the old city bazaar to find household
goods, tools, and clothing.
Left: The city bazaar is no less crowded than the Market Road.
Right: Pious women selling mens islamic skull caps,
wear and advertise their wares over their head coverings.
Animal Market:
All the local sheep are "fat tailed", with a distinctive pouch
of fat at their rear -- the source of most "mutton" pasties.
Left: A young boy tends freshly shorn sheep.
Close-up;
Right: No use shearing the sheep until you've sold the wool!
Animal Market:
Distinctive Kirghiz nomads are at home even as visitors
in the live animal market in Kashgar.
Left: These men are having their wool weighed and paid for.
Close-up;
Right: And they are not camera-shy. This gentleman asked to have
his photo taken -- he's just proud!
Animal Market:
Many of the Kirghiz live on horseback and herd goats and sheep on the
sparse open land to the south. Here they roam the grounds,
sizing up livestock that is sold freely by individuals.
Left: This old gent and his horse look a bit questionable.
Close-up;
Right: But he soon has a bargain going -- a discussion that may last
all morning.
Horse Market:
Left: One benefit of the large venue of the Live Animal Market
is that you can try out your horse before you buy it!
Right: Special areas are set up for exercising horses at a gallop
(1985).
Horse Trading:
More 1985 photos of a local man putting a horse through its paces.
Left: He races it down the track, then pulls it up quickly and makes
a sharp spin.
Right: Nice Saddle!
Close-up.
