By Lakhram Bhagirat
While growing up I would always hear my grandmother, who was a vendor at the Bourda Market in Georgetown, talking about the bargains at the Parika Market, East Bank Essequibo. She would boast about the freshness of the produce, as well as the great bargains one would receive. I mean that alone was enough to grasp the attention of everyone she spoke to.
She, in my mind, was the unpaid spokesperson for the vendors operating at the Parika Market. I remember my first visit to the
Market. I was about 14 years old and I was amazed by the bountifulness of the produce as well as the vibrant colours.
With just over 4000 residents, Parika is a small community but a budding port since it serves as a gateway to Regions One, Two, and Seven. There is never a quiet day at Parika as it is always bustling with people from all over the world. If they are not there to get the fresh produce, they are coming from the Essequibo Coast or Bartica or some
island in the mighty Essequibo River to transact business or do shopping.
It is always bargain galore at Parika Market and when I visited there on Thursday, I was overwhelmed by how little I would have to spend to get so much. However, it is not only the bargains that attract people to Parika but it is the spirit of the persons who operate there. You can never visit Parika and say that you would have had a bad experience or encounter with a vendor. They are truly the best set of people I have encountered in my travels around our beautiful Guyana.
Those familiar with the “Screaming Ladies Snackette” in the Stabroek Market would know what I mean when I say that the people of Parika have the sweetest tongues to make you want to shop more. You can always expect a top-up on your vegetables or provisions.
According to the Regional Democratic Council, there are over 700 persons who own and operate stalls within the Parika and Hydronie Markets. That number excludes those who would set up shop on the shoulders of the road – they would often provide some of the best deals.
The busiest days for the vendors are Sundays and Fridays. Sunday Market at Parika is embedded in the rituals of thousands of West Siders as they would leave their homes as early as 05:00h to get to the market in order to capitalise on the best deals. You can find almost everything at the market, from your daily groceries to haberdasheries, construction materials and
even exotic animals. Parrots and macaws are the stars whenever it is mating season. You can get a stylish frock for as low as $500 from some vendors at the market and a shimmery pair of sandals to accessorise it starting at $350. I mean an entire outfit for under $1000. Now, isn’t that a sweet bargain?
When I visited the market on Thursday, I caught up with a few of the vendors. Almost everyone who is a regular knows Auntie Netty. She has been selling fruits in the same spot for over 20 years. Prior to selling fruits, she – along with her husband, Gilbert DeSouza – used to vend ground provisions, but after he died that became tedious and she moved to fruits.
She would wake up early in the morning and travel to Georgetown to pick up her foreign fruits. Sometimes she would also buy some local ones there as well and then travel back to Parika to vend. She spends an average of 10 hours per day vending and at the age of 64 it is a feat not many can speak of.
She has no intentions of retiring soon since she feels that her active lifestyle is the reason she is not overcome with sickness.
“Business don’t be bright every day, but you got to make do. Sometimes it up, sometimes it down, but I am able to save some money and feed myself so that is all that matters. I see this place change up so much, but it was better before because business was little more better, but it still good, man,” she tells me.
Her neighbour Angela who vends vegetables and ground provisions tells me that she has been at the market for over 30 years. She said as of recent there has been an increase in competition because the wholesalers would utilise the Hydronie Market for retailing as well and that affects the smaller man.
“We busy day here is Monday and Tuesday. Most days, it does be slow but that is how business is man,” she said.
The people at Parika remain resilient despite their challenges. So, if you have not had a chance to visit and interact with the people, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. Ciao. (Photos by Adam Baksh) (Times Sunday Magazine)
