Zoma

Zoma is a large marketplace in the Analakely district that spreads across multiple streets with hundreds of vendor stalls shaded by white parasols. The stalls display fresh produce, dried goods, food items, and handcrafted articles from local sellers throughout the trading area.

The marketplace was established in 1897 on converted paddy fields and marshes that were transformed into a trading hub. It later moved to its current location in the Analakely district where it operates today.

This marketplace serves as a daily gathering place where locals shop and merchants sell handcrafted items like wood carvings, woven baskets, and textiles from across the island. The space reflects how communities gather to exchange goods and interact through commerce.

Early morning hours offer the best experience when vendors set up stalls and display the freshest goods available. Walking through the rows at your own pace allows you to browse the variety and engage with sellers as you move around the trading area.

At the end of each trading day, vendors retract their distinctive white parasols and store them away in a daily ritual that has been practiced for generations. This careful maintenance reflects how the traders protect their equipment and preserve the character of this long-standing marketplace.