The faces of Africa – Cape Town, February 2008
The Greenpoint market was, for many years, one of the two best-known markets in Cape Twn (the other being Greenmarket Square). Over the years, Greenpoint market became known as one of the best places to buy crafts from all over Africa as the vendors became increasingly international. It would not be uncommon to buy a beaded bowl from a Zimbabwean, a carved mask from a Nigerian and a bronze leopard figurine from Benin but sold by a chap from Cameroon – all in the space of one visit! The market used to take place every Sunday in the parking lot of the Green Point Stadium, but traders have since been relocated as the old stadium was demolished and the entire area regenerated to build the spectacular Cape Town Stadium for the FIFA 2010 World Cup. As the World Cup kicked off yesterday with a spectacular pan-African opening ceremony, I though it only fitting to post this photo of masks from around the continent for sale at the old Greenpoint market.
This is part of a series of non-food photographs that will be published every Saturday on CookSister – all previously featured photographs can be viewed on the Saturday Snapshots compendium page. All photos featured in Saturday Snapshots are available to buy as high-quality greeting cards or prints in my RedBubble store. They make gifts, for friends or for yourself!
Those masks are so interesting looking. It’s neat that you can buy such a diversity of African items at the one location.
Love this photo! Several rooms in my house are decorated with African masks of various types, so this really speaks to me. I only wish I could go there and choose them, rather than finding them at import stores here.
I remember the Indina dress fashion and the leather sandals…I believe there is a fan park there now!
WOw, what a nice picture of the mask…so intriguing and mysterious.
@Star – it was like visiting ten African countries in one day! Always realyl fascinating to talk to the vendors and ask where they are from…
@Kalyn – you would LOVE it! We have three masks bought from this market in our hallway at home – two from Nigeria and a third that looks like a Modigliani painting. Love them!
@Nina – yes, I think I still have a pair of sandals bought there! And I was amazed at the development when we were over in March – the place is unrecognisable!
@Juliana – thanks!