MERCADO CAMPESINO DE TARABUCO

This very typical market, very colorful, gives the opportunity to admire the original beauty of the clothes of the indigenous men and women. A tip: visit the museo de Arte indigena (ASUR) in Sucre before going to the market, you will appreciate all the more the multicolored ballet of traditional clothes of each community.

The men are dressed in a wide shirt with a single opening at the collar. Their short pants, made of off-white bayeta (very resistant fabric), are sometimes enhanced on the sides, along the legs, with a colored braid. They carry on their shoulders their inseparable woven wool bag in which they keep coca leaves ( chuspa). They gird their waist with a wide leather belt. The most stylish accessory of the ensemble is the small square-shaped poncho that reaches the waist. The men wear their long hair in a bun or in a simple tail. On their heads they wear the montera, inspired by the Spanish morrion, a very hard helmet made of leather.

The women's clothes are less flirtatious than those of the men. Black in color, they have a flared skirt and a blouse with wide sleeves made of bayeta fabric. Around the belt, a kind of scarf with multicolored stripes breaks the monotony of black. Their hair is plaited in braids.

Perhaps because of the influx of tourists, the prices of the products sold are sometimes exorbitant, but you always have the opportunity to bargain. Note that this is not just a market for tourists selling souvenirs! It is also very popular with the local population. There are several markets in the market, including a very interesting fruit and vegetable market. In a covered area, you can eat at the comedor at very low prices.

In conclusion, a visit to Tarabuco on Sunday is more than recommended and allows a great bath of colors and smells... even if you will meet dozens and dozens of travelers as curious as you are. The market is located at approximately one hour of Sucre, trufis (collective cabs) make regularly the shuttle between the two cities. A final note: the locals do not like to have their picture taken. Be aware and responsible, be as discreet as possible, and do not contribute to the deviation of a market that, even today, continues to be one of the most authentic in Latin America.