Photo Gallery

Street vendors offering food to passengers on a bus in Cojutepeque, El Salvador. Due to the lack of railway lines, all transport in Central America is by road. Buses provide regular connections between the different regions of the republic. The road network is quite extensive, but in some countries it is clearly insufficient, which is a serious obstacle to the exploitation of natural resources. - 1977

Papaya seller on King Street (Malay: Lebuh King), one of the most historically significant streets in the heart of George Town, the capital of the Malaysian island of Penang. It is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and reflects the city's multicultural history. – 1990

This scene shows street vendors selling shoes in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a trade that has existed in the capital for centuries. - 1990

A spice shop in the holy city of Kandy in the mountainous highlands of Sri Lanka. In addition to other foodstuffs, the shopkeeper stocks a remarkable variety of spices – formerly known as “spezereien”. Fortunately, these picturesque shops, where you are greeted with a friendly smile, have not yet been displaced by supermarkets. - 1990

A subji-walli (vegetable seller) in India. She is sitting in a doorway in Udaipur behind baskets containing various vegetables such as spring onions, aubergines, cauliflower and green courgettes. The woman wears a traditional yellow odhni (headscarf) over a pink blouse. This type of street trading is widespread in India and provides a livelihood for many families. – 1990

A street vendor in Udaipur selling local fruit, vegetables and spices to passers-by. Udaipur is situated in a region steeped in history. In the moonlight, the palaces on the lakeshore evoke memories of tales from “One Thousand and One Nights”. – 1990

A flower seller outside a temple in Ranakpur, making garlands of orange marigolds (Tagetes). These flowers are of great cultural significance in India and are frequently used for religious offerings, temple visits and festivals such as Diwali. – 1990

An elderly woman in traditional dress is selling various goods. A brightly patterned cloth (sari or dupatta) covers her head and she has tattoos on her right forearm. In her hands she holds a traditional mechanical beam balance with two pans, used to weigh goods for customers. Behind the woman, several bicycles are leaning against a metal railing. – Jodhpur – 1990

A young trader sits behind a large pile of fresh green chillies at a market in Jodhpur. These are elongated, light-green chillies with a mild to medium heat, which are frequently used in Indian cuisine for stews or as a side dish (e.g. Mirchi Bajji or Jwala chillies). – 1990

At Jodhpur’s spice market, a colourful array of spices, grains, seeds and powders is displayed in square and round containers. Yellow, red and white powders (such as turmeric, chilli powder or rice flour) form the basis for curries, stews and pasta dishes. Pulses, lentils and mustard seeds are used for nutritious side dishes, soups or for toasting in hot oil. Spice blends lend a deep flavour to meat, fish and vegetable dishes. – 1990

The backdrop to this shop in Jodhpur is dominated by packaged goods from the Indian food industry, though spices and staple foods are still sold in bulk. – 1990

In Hinduism, cows are considered sacred and untouchable, which is why they are often found right in the midst of public life, as here at a bustling street market in Jodhpur. The veneration of the cow is deeply rooted in Indian culture and continues to play a role in political and religious debates to this day. The market stall sells various items of clothing and toys, a typical sight at urban Indian street markets. – 1990

A traditional open-air market stall selling a variety of handmade household goods and tools made of metal or wood. – Jodhpur – 1990

A peanut seller (often called a ‘Mungfali-Wala’) stands behind a four-wheeled wooden cart piled high with unshelled peanuts. In the middle stands a small pot, often containing hot coals, to keep the peanuts warm and crispy. A classic pressure lamp (Petromax) can also be seen, which is used for lighting at dusk and in the evening hours. – Phalodi – 1990