Honiara Central Market

The central market in Honiara is where the country feeds itself: root crops, greens, betel nut, fish landed that morning, and produce brought in by canoe from the Nggela islands and by truck from along the Guadalcanal coast. Women from the villages sell what they have grown, laid out on mats and tables under the roofing. It is loud, crowded and the fullest picture of Solomon Islands life in one place.

Background

The market dates from the 1950s and is one of two markets the Honiara City Council owns and runs; the second is Kukum Market. Besides fish, fruit and vegetables it sells fresh coconut water, flowers, clothing, shell money, palm-frond brooms, jewellery, coconut oil and hair tonics. It has its own frontage on Iron Bottom Sound, where fishermen bring their catch straight in by a boat ramp. Trade takes place in the covered building and along its sides, and the food here is the cheapest in Honiara. Around a thousand vendors traded here in 2014, an estimated 80% of them women. In 2006 the council set aside part of the space for flowers and pot plants sold all year round.

Source: Wikipedia, "Honiara Central Market"

Highlights

• The produce mats - root crops and greens laid out by the women who grew them.
• The fish tables - the morning catch landed and sold on the waterfront.
• The canoe arrivals - produce coming in by boat from the Nggela islands.
• The betel stalls - the nut and its accompaniments sold throughout.

When to go

Mornings are when everything arrives and the market is fullest. Saturday is the biggest day. It winds down by early afternoon.

Practical notes

It is crowded, hot and can be overwhelming; watch your belongings. Photography of people needs asking first. It closes on Sundays entirely.

Nearby

Honiara's centre is around it, and Bonegi is west.

Key facts