Fish auction
As the boats arrive.
Development Planning Unit University College London — CC BY 2.0 · David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada — CC BY 2.0 · Nguva — CC BY-SA 4.0 · David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada — CC BY 2.0
Dar es Salaam's biggest and liveliest fish market, on the shore by the ferry terminal in the Kivukoni district. Locals call it Mzizima, the old name of Dar es Salaam itself. At dawn wooden fishing boats come in loaded with the night's catch, and the auction begins with the shouts of auctioneers and buyers, as the tables fill with tuna, grouper, prawns, octopus, squid and crab. In one part of the market the fish is cleaned and fried or grilled in front of you in simple local eateries, so you can eat the day's catch for very little with rice or ugali, the Tanzanian staple made from maize flour. The market is loud, crowded and wet, and early morning is the best time to watch the auction. Wear closed shoes, keep your belongings close, and ask before photographing vendors. Ferries leave from here for Kigamboni and its beaches.
As the boats arrive.
The day's catch.
To Kigamboni.
By the Kigamboni ferry terminal, Kivukoni, central Dar es Salaam
Early morning, when the fishing boats come in and the auction starts.
