Zoma, Marketplace in Analakely district, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Zoma is a large open-air market in the Analakely district of Antananarivo, stretching across several streets and instantly recognizable by rows of white parasols. The stalls sell fresh produce, dried goods, food items, and handmade crafts from sellers across the island.
The market was founded in 1897 on former rice paddies and marshland that were converted into a trading area. It later moved to its current location in Analakely, where it has operated ever since.
The name Zoma simply means "Friday" in Malagasy, because trading days were once limited to that single day of the week. Today the market runs every day, but locals still call it by the old name.
Arriving early in the morning gives the best chance to find the freshest goods and the most active trading. Comfortable shoes are a good idea since getting around the stalls means a fair amount of walking through narrow rows.
At one point the Zoma was considered one of the largest open-air markets in the world, with thousands of stalls on the busiest days. That scale drew traders from far beyond the city, turning it into a destination known across the country.
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