WUSE MARKET

Abuja's large central market is a veritable autonomous open-air city, where you can find everything... and nothing at the same time. More than just a place to shop, it's an intense sensory experience: the shouts of the vendors compete in persuasiveness, the apparent disorder conceals a well-honed organization, and the smells follow one another, from spices to vegetables, from fish to steaming meats. The dazzling colors of the thousands of loincloths and waxes spread out as far as the eye can see offer a striking spectacle, the promise of shimmering outfits. Here, negotiation is king: to make a good deal, you have to know how to play the game of palaver, theater and haggling, in a permanent ballet where humor is never absent. Count 30% of the advertised sum as the basis for haggling. Get lost in the specialized areas, between mechanical equipment, children's toys, second-hand shoes and everyday utensils, and keep an eye out for the wheelbarrow carriers who are determined to transport every last one of your purchases. In the midst of all this noise, with generators running non-stop, it's still possible to take a break and discuss fabrics and patterns with the local seamstresses, who can dress you from head to toe from a simple piece of fabric chosen on the spot. The visit, sometimes tiring, is one of the great moments to experience in Nigeria: total immersion in the energy of the capital and plunge into a colorful universe where, at the turn of each stall, you can read a part of the country's commercial soul.