By Deepanwita Gita Niyogi*
In the tribal areas of Bastar and Koraput districts, it is common to find weekly markets held once a week in rural areas. Locally known as haats or haat bazaars, these places are centres of feverish activity often centred around women.
Haat 1: A woman relaxes during a haat in Bastar. Most women wear such colourful glass bangles. In fact, bangles are often sold in these markets.
Haat 2: Chapda or red ant chutney in leaf bowls is often sold by women across haats in Bastar. It is considered a delicacy. The chutney can be prepared by grinding tomatoes, coriander leaves, garlic and ginger on a sil batta, a traditional stone used for crushing spices.
Haat 3: A woman sells pakodas and fried items at a haat. These are relished mostly during the afternoons.
Haat 4: Apart from haats where there are many stalls, women are also seen selling items along the main roads in rural areas of Bastar. Here, she is selling dried fish.
Haat 5: A girl smiles from behind a plateful of hot jalebis kept at a shop in a rural market of Koraput district, Odisha, not very far from Bastar. Jalebis are consumed mostly in the mornings.
Haat 6: A woman takes a break in the busy morning hours in Lamtaput block of Koraput district.
Haat 7: Seeds of beans on sale.
Haat 8: Who can resist these tempting cherry tomatoes?
Haat 9: A woman roasts corn on a traditional stove in Koraput. Tattoos on the arms of women are commonly seen.
Haat 11: A woman selling vegetables in Koraput smiles while being clicked.
Haat 12: Such attractive nose pieces are commonly seen across Koraput.
Haat 13: The colourful world of women sellers.
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