Bargain hunt: Tales from Motijheel’s holiday market
Every Friday, a holiday market transforms the streets around Motijheel Ideal School into a bustling hub where hundreds of vendors sell everything from clothes and household items to food at bargain prices, drawing shoppers from across Dhaka
For Rafiq, finding a spot to park his kulfi cart in front of Motijheel Ideal School on Fridays has always been a difficult task. Most of the time, he has to squeeze in between other vendors — some, like him, are there daily, always selling at the school gate, while others only arrive on Fridays to join the holiday market.
The makeshift market dates back to 2007, when the Dhaka South City Corporation allocated the spot for vendors, along with 15 other zones across the city.
Rafiq has seen hundreds of vendors come and go. Some faces are familiar, like Salma's. The strong-willed woman in her 40s has been selling here for almost 13–14 years. She always sits at the entrance of the holiday market, usually selling clothes and bedsheets — all unique yet inexpensive.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"I have to pay the bills, feed my family. At least here, the customers are always gathering to buy things from us," she said.
Some days, there are new faces, such as Akash and Shaon — the guard-and-peon duo doing this part time. "It's good money and we sell two-pieces and salwar suits for ladies at reasonable prices," Shaon said.
Jashim has been setting up shop here for the past four years. "A bus helper's pay is not enough. Expenses have increased in my family. Prices are really high these days," he said.
The weekend market at Motijheel has been a lifesaver for part-time vendors. Every Friday morning, hawkers set up shop on the sidewalks and the road, filling both sides with hundreds of stalls.
They offer a wide range of products: women's cosmetics, sarees, shoes, ready-made and unstitched three-pieces, bed sheets, pillow covers, blankets, mosquito nets, curtains, pots and pans, ceramic items, household goods, children's clothes, winter wear, watches, food items, and toys.
A go-to spot for thrift shoppers, the market opens at 10am and runs until sunset. Customers flock from all over Dhaka.
Juthi stood in the crowd, scanning the stalls. A self-professed introvert, she decided to shop here only to stay within budget. "Unique collections can be found at very reasonable prices here," she said.
She had her eyes on the hijabs and burqas. The hijab vendors were selling theirs for Tk100 each.
Hajera, another vendor at the market, sets up shop on the footpath almost every day of the week. But on Fridays, she moves out onto the road with the others. A member of the Hijra community, it was this market that saved her from homelessness over a decade ago.
Though she now feels that sales have dropped, she notes one positive change. "Customers are more open to buying from me now. There is less stigma, unlike in the past," she said.
While she was speaking to me, one customer complimented her stall's jewellery section and the prices — Tk50 for a jhumka seemed like a pretty good deal.
Some customers have been frequenting the market for years, always on the hunt for a good bargain. Rina, for instance, is a regular, often bringing her son and daughter along.
"I really like the clothes and home décor items here. The prices are low; clothing starts from as little as Tk200. The traditional collections are better here compared to the western wear," she said.
As the sun sets, teas are brewed and cigarettes lit. Vendors begin packing up their products — some satisfied with the day's sales, others disappointed.
"Hopefully next Friday will be better," said one vendor as he packed for home.
