In developed countries we are used to going to the supermarket to buy animal produce: chicken, fish, beef and pork. We enter an area that has been cooled and the product we are buying has been cleaned and wrapped in clear plastic. The air smells clean and fresh. Our hands do not touch the animal flesh. We have been distanced from the sight and smells of the raw meat.
When vacationing in Mauritius, I took the opportunity to take my children to an open meat market. I wanted them to experience how others buy their meat produce; and to realise that not everyone selects their meat from the freezers and fridges in the supermarket. The first section we walked into was where they sell the chicken. The building is cool, made with brick, but it is not refrigerated. Chickens are on display for customers to choose.
Fresh fish is also on sale – fish that one hopes was taken out of the sea waters that morning by fishermen. They are arranged for display on the cold metal slabs, tempting buyers who are searching for fresh seafood for their dinner.
We left the building which housed the fresh fish stock and walked into the one that houses the beef, pork and other red meats. The first thing the children commented on was the pungent smell. And the number of flies that were buzzing around! The displays are not as hygienic as found in the supermarkets we are used to frequenting.
But even though the meat market had an antiquated feel about it, much variety was on display. The rack of sausages showed that the butchers had a large variety to offer their customers:
The butchers laid out many cuts of meat to tempt the shoppers and those passing by.
What was interesting to see was the old-fashioned scale that is still in use by the butchers when weighing any product that is sold: an old-fashioned piece of equipment that is still seen to be a part of everyday shopping in this part of the world.
After the gloom and intense smells of the meat market, we walked outside to smell the cleaner air and take in the colours of the road outside. (You can take a look at what we saw outside the meat market by visiting a previous post).
Would you buy any animal products at an open meat market like this one?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2012
Colline's Blog 
I do not really like this way of “open” trading of meat. But what can you do or say, that’s how they do it and that”s how it’s going to stay for many years to come
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I have only seen this in developing countries. When I visit a butchery, for example, I do not see the flies buzzing around, or the meat displayed on open slabs as shown in the photo I took.
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Whoa!!!!!!!!!!! That reminds me of China….at least the China of 15 years ago!
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I am sure that in some parts of China markets like this still exist. Seems that they come with the territory in countries with that have people with less money.
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I think it is important for children to know where the food comes from. There are probably health regulations that do not allow those types of markets here, especially with the flies.
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The people in Mauritius buy their meat from this market and are yet able to survive. Makes one wonder whether their constitutions are stronger than ours.
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In China or in the Philippines the things you buy in the open meat market a.k.a., wet market are cheaper and fresher than in the supermarkets. I think that’s where most restaurants get their supplies.
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The hotels in Mauritius tend to get the supplies even before it lands on the slabs in the market. They definitely get the freshest fish 🙂
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This is very interesting. Perhaps even though it seems less hygienic the meat sold there doesn’t have preservatives like ours does – who knows!
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You are right I think. The animal produce does have a different taste to it.
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I think this makes one want to become a vegetarian!! 🙂
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It does tend to put one off – especially the smell.
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Very good post. Something I think we in the western world need to see. We tend to take a lot of things for granted. Thanks for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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You are right about that. We also tend not to think too much about how those less fortunate than us live their lives.
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THis was an important lesson for you children and I’m sure they won’t forget it soon. We all need to be reminded where our food comes from, both plant and animal products.
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It was. And on the trip they realised that not everyone experiences life as they do.
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I’ve seen similar markets in other parts of the world. Our western sensibilities make us leary of this way of doing business, but I think there are pros and cons to every system. When there is a breakout of ecoli from a meat processing plant in North America, we don’t look so clever do we? Excellent post!
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Too true!
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Ahhh, I am a little turned off by the idea of smell and flies. With the recent beef scare in Alberta, I think I may just be eating a little more lentils and beans!
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I am right there with you. We do not eat beef in our household – and very little pork.
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Reminds me of the fish and meat section in the China Market in Sydney 🙂
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Now that would be interesting to see.
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Thankfully, I don’t eat meat but I have to say it was great exposure for the kids… Like Julie said above, because they don’t add preservatives and chemicals to their meats, you’re probably getting fresher quality meat. 🙂
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I could not bring myself, however, to buy from the market. A different story, however, when we visited the fruit and vegetable market in the building opposite.
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I don’t blame you… I won’t buy it if it isn’t covered. I have to say that at the open markets in France, they do sell fresh meats straight from the farms. 😉
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It would be interesting to compare those markets to the one I saw in Mauritius.
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Fascinating. Reminds me of wet market scenery in the Philippines. Never a dull moment, right? Great post.
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I agree – full of life and colour 🙂
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