Market, Morning 3AM.

Copyright © Julius Njau all rights reserved

Permanent Collection of the Osaka Contemporary Art Center Museum, Osaka, Japan, 1996.

“Market day is important for African communities. For me as well, it holds many meanings. It is an inspiration for creating good artworks, a place to learn from other people’s ways of life, and a space to make friends. Most markets have no buildings; they take place directly on the ground.

Women play the most important role in market activities. The market opens every day from early morning until late at night, but those who come from far away begin arriving around three o’clock in the morning. Otherwise, they cannot secure a place to sell their goods.

The women arrive carrying babies on their backs or goods on their heads. They usually seem happy, laughing, talking, and calling out loudly to sell. The atmosphere of the market is filled with happiness and joy.

The market is usually crowded, and by the end of the day everyone is tired and exhausted.”