Traditional markets showcase local culture

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite the mushrooming number of modern markets, many people prefer traditional markets for the personal interaction.

"A traditional market is a display of culture or the gateway of acculturation contacts between people from various backgrounds," anthropologist Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono said Wednesday. She said this was marketable as a tourist attraction.

Meutia was speaking at a seminar, titled "Empowering Traditional Markets in the Era of the Hypermarket", held by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

The ministry said it was important to make traditional markets around the archipelago tourism spots, just like Beringharjo market in Yogyakarta, Sukawati market in Bali, Gede market in Surakarta, the floating market in Banjarmasin and the antique market on Jl. Surabaya, Jakarta.

The seminar, held Nov. 28 to 30, was attended by some 75 participants from across Indonesia, including civil servants, university students, NGOs, market operators and associations of market traders, who came to share their views and make recommendations on the drafting of a new bill on market empowerment for tourism.

Indonesia has declared 2008 as Visit Indonesia Year.

Traditional markets' ambience can be a sort of spiritual fulfillment and entertainment for visitors, the seminar heard.

"I like the warm atmosphere between buyers and sellers at traditional markets," a Central Jakarta resident, Elly, said Thursday.

"Just saying hello or joking with vendors. That doesn't happen ... at a supermarket," she said.

Elly said she goes to the traditional market near her home twice a week and had become a loyal customer of certain vendors in Cempaka Putih market since 1979. She said she only goes to the supermarket once every two months at most.

"There is no guarantee either that supermarket fruit and vegetables or meat products are fresher than traditional market goods," the 66-year-old woman said.

Her close relationship with market vendors has lead to her being invited to a wedding reception of the daughter of one of the vendors.

"I frequently give them used plastic bags and dried rice crusts. I am pleased when they gratefully accept my offerings," Elly added.

Elly is not alone in her inclination to shop at traditional markets.

For people like 27-year-old Melati, shopping at traditional markets is her first choice to get cheaper and fresher vegetables and fruits.

"Besides, I feel more human while shopping at a traditional market," Melati said, acknowledging her mother could shop for hours at traditional markets, chatting with vendors.

Metta, a 28-year-old mother of two, said she preferred shopping at the door-to-door green grocer which visits her home on a daily basis.

"I don't enjoy shopping at a muddy market. Besides, I think the price offered by the mobile grocer is cheaper than the traditional markets because I don't have to pay for transportation."