Most important Oaxaca towns have a public outdoor market every day but a tianguis (tee-AHN-gees) only once a week. The word tianguis is an ancient native expression, synonymous with “awning,” the colorful tarpaulins that shade the mini-mountains of fruits, vegetables, crafts, and merchandise. Native people flock to tianguis everywhere in Oaxaca to buy and sell.
Although trade appears to be the prime mover, people really come to tianguis for human contact, not only in the buying and selling itself, but for gossip, entertainment, flirtation — all of the other diversions that make life worth living.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/east-textile-route/tlacolula/tlacolula-market
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/west-archaeological-route/santa-maria-atzompa
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/west-archaeological-route/etla
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/zimatlan
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/zaachila/zaachila-church
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/ejutla
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/ocotlan/ocotlan-market
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/chatino-country/santos-reyes-nopala
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/chatino-country/santa-catarina-juquila
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/bahias-de-huatulco/excursions/santa-maria-de-huatulco
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/mixtec-coast/pinotepa-nacional/excursions/cacahuatepec
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/oaxaca-valley/south-crafts-route/sola-de-vega
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/-mixtec-coast/pinotepa-nacional
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/puerto-angel/upland-excursions/san-pedro-pochutla
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/bahias-de-huatulco/excursions/san-pedro-huamelula
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/-mixtec-coast/santiago-jamiltepec
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oaxaca/pacific-resorts/bahias-de-huatulco/excursions/santiago-astata