Women In Saquisili Market In Quito Editorial Image

The Saquisilí market is one of the largest remaining indigenous markets in Ecuador. The famous Otavalo market sold out years ago: it’s all tourist stuff now. But Saquisilí has stuck to its roots: every Thursday, hundreds if not thousands of indigenous people in the mountains south of Quito pack up their burros (donkeys) and llamas early in the morning and make the long trek to Saquisilí. They bring their excess produce: a few onions, some carrots, potatoes, perhaps even some chickens or a pig. They arrive when it is still dark out and set up shop, hoping to make a little extra money or at least get a fair trade for what they’ve brought.