Popular markets show off Yemen’s originality [Archives:2005/868/Education]
By Yasser al-Mayasi
Yemen Times Staff
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The popular markets in the old city of Sana'a date back several centuries ago. They are civilized and human heritage that deserve attention and recurrent visits. In these markets, there are several things that attract tourists, particularly as they contain ancient treasures.
According to several international experts in the field of tourist promotion, these markets can be a great source of income. The significance of such markets in promoting tourism compelled us to give a brief profile about their history and strategic location.
Yemen was famous over several decades for the revival of its popular markets, which are flooded with a variety of commodities particularly hand-made articles. The Yemeni popular markets contain animal, fishery, agricultural and traditional wealth, in addition to handicrafts, dresses and rarities.
These markets are very distinctive, owing to the variety of their products and traditional handicrafts, as well as the sale and purchase of different commodities. There are markets in the historical cities and some rural areas that are usually staged seasonally, creating social and cultural jobs and a meeting point for many people.
It is remarkable nowadays that the popular markets in cities and rural areas across the country attract tourists and visitors; they show unique attractions and offer visitors different souvenirs and popular dresses.
The Yemeni markets proved to be able to convey good impressions to foreign tourists reflecting the significance of the Yemeni history and demonstrating the glory of architecture in the construction.
These markets are endowed with musical singings and popular dances reflecting the Yemeni traditions, as well as good smells from agricultural products.
Annual festivals, including events like horse racing, are often staged, particularly in the coastal city of Hodeiddah whose markets are famous for traditional handicrafts, and the manufacture of silver, kitchen utensils, carpets and decorative stones that add more charm to the beauty of construction.
Women share men in works at these markets that still tell us of the glory of the past in detail.
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