Tis the season for bazaars in Addis. Within the past month I have been to the NGO Bazaar, the German Christmas Bazaar, the Diplomat’s Bazaar and the Artisans’ Bazaar. Whew! The German Christmas bazaar is obviously an annual event and get’s me in the spirit of Christmas. It has a great salad bar and a room full of cakes by local German home bakers. It’s the source of my marzipan stollen that I enjoy with a nice cups of coffee as I recall Christmas past with my German in-laws. Last year I bought a gorgeous red poinsettia that lasted months; this year my tiny house is scented with a juniper wreath, enhanced with decorations I have accumulated over my past 2 Ethiopian Christmases, thanks to packages from home.
Yes it’s starting to look a bit like Christmas!
The Diplomat’s Bazaar is a massive annual event where various embassies set up show and tell and sell items from their homelands. Organized by the “wives” (spouses) of diplomats it is very big, crowded, colourful and somewhat bizarre reminder that Addis, being the seat of the African Union has about 100 embassies so there is quite a diplomatic scene here that lowly volunteers rarely glimpse! The Canadian display was pretty disappointing with a lot of paper flags, tiny maple candies for 25 cents each and a few forlorn bags of chocolate “moose droppings” (how embarrassing is that?). I was told they did have 500 liters of maple syrup that sold out in the first hour. I was with Jim, an Irish volunteer; he was sorry there wasn’t an Irish display, so no leprechauns (or perhaps minty green leprechaun droppings) for him. We managed to scarf down some very yummy feta and olives at the Greek table (free!) and we each got a lovely yellow pen from Lufthansa, then decided it was time to move on as the music was WAY TOO LOUD for anyone over 16!
The Artisan’s Bazaar happens twice a year outdoors at the Tropical Gardens and offers a really wide selection of art and crafts showcasing the talents of local folk. It lasts two days and offers an opportunity to enjoy browsing and snacking in a lovely environment.
But my favourite in the monthly NGO Bazaar. It’s held from 9-12 AM the last Saturday of each month (except in the summer rainy season) on the sprawling grounds and rooms of the Evangelical Church. Here’s a sampling of what you can find there:
Wicker furniture
A good place to meet up with friends, enjoy a good coffee and some baking and see a surprising number of ferenji all in one place, speaking a variety of languages!
Get some flowers to perk up the garden or some more unusual vegetables
Traditional Ethiopian Tej pots used to drink honey wine – these have nice etching on them
Local honey is delicious
Always fun to sift though the second hand book selection
Plenty of jewelry options
Mary, an Irish VSO volunteer, set up a small income generation project, making earrings, to raise funds for “old ladies in Sebeta” while she worked at the Sebeta Teachers’ College.
Mary has gone home now after two years and Meriel, newly arrived this September, has taken over!
It is hard to choose from so many tempting necklaces
Beads with stories to tell…
Colourful pillows, quilts…great for kids’ rooms
Traditional finely woven baskets
Lots of old fashioned hand embroidered tablecloths, napkins and runners
Dolls
Painted mirrors and wall plaques
Herds of animals, these ones obviously too tired to stand up in the hot sun any longer!
Home baking, tofu! and even ice cream for sale
Cards and calendars made from banana leaves
Peek-a-boo with a scarf display!
One can never have too many scarves…
Hats made by southern tribes
Locally made wool carpets from the Arat Kilo Carpet NGO near where I work
All carpets made with natural colours of sheep wool
All vendors are from NGOs and prices are fixed, fair and the product quality is very good.
These women are carrying fuel wood in the Entoto Hills above Addis. They are among the poorest women here, earning about $12.00 a month, walking 30 km a day with loads of 35 kg. This project involves them in alternate income (weaving) as well as reforestation. From their brochure, I learned that there are 15,000 women, many single mothers, working in the hills above Addis.
Modelling a scarf made by the fuel workers. One of the reasons I appreciate this NGO Bazaar is I know the funds go back to support such projects. I hope everyone is supporting their local NGOs and non-profits this season…
Plenty of pottery
Flag colours of course are always on offer!
Tote boxes and small furniture
Time to buy my coffee from the “People in Need” NGO and head home a relaxing cup
Yes, I have gone slightly bizarre after so many bazaars!
Merry Christmas 2012 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!
I love the pic of YOU……if you see any hand embroided LION on cotton? linen? what do they do it on….I could make somthing for Charlotte….the lion granddaughter….and is she ever. Love your blog….feel I am bazaaring with you. Rosemary
So fabulous to hear from you and thanks for taking us to the bazaar with you. Merry Christmas Marian and all the very best in 2013!
Yes, that ‘hat’ is so you! The bazaars sound like lots of fun. The equivalent here, I guess, are the various Farmers’ Markets and Craft Fairs where I do the bulk of my Christmas shopping. Have a great holiday!
Great blog Marian! A very merry to you from Stan and I in San Miguel!
Linda
Hi Marian,
Wish I could have been there with you. What an amazing array of items for sale! This year for sure, you have my Christmas card since I sent it with you when you returned! Cheers – Carol
Hi Marian!! What a wonderful display of human kindness 🙂 I always have a great time reading your blog. John and I wish you Happy Holidays!!
Hi Marian: Your colourful pictures brighten up my day in rainy Cambridge. Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for your entertaining and educational Blog. Love from Lydia
I enjoyed reading this so much, and I am delighted that you are still blogging. There are so many things I would buy at the NGO bazaar to help the “fuel” women. I especially love the carpets.
Oh Marian, I would have such a great time at the NGO bazaar and come away with way too much stuff. I would not be able to resist I’m afraid!
Hi! Recent expat to Ethiopia here–so, in the Gregorian calendar, that means the bazaar is this weekend, right? Or does this market operate on Ethiopian months?
Thanks!!
The NGO Bazaar usually happens on the last Saturday of the Fereji calendar but I think it stops for July and August and if Christmas or Easter are that week it moves to the one before!
Hi There Another recent expat to Ethiopia. Went to the market this weekend Sat 14th. Does that mean there are no more markets this month ? I’ll try and look it up but I’m a bit confused. Are you still living in Addis regards Karen
Hello Thanks for your comment. I am now home in Vancouver, Canada so am not sure about the NGO bazaar dates but there is usually only one per month so I expect the one you attended was it for December.
Happy holidays and enjoy the sunshine!
Marian