Wamachinga: Petty Traders in Tanzanian Cities

Abstract

One of the daily realities of Sub-Saharan African cities is the constant presence of petty traders along the roads - selling all kinds of goods and products, selling anything one can imagine.
Navigating among cars in non-stop traffic jams, young men (but more and more women and children, too) offer cold drinks, but if needed, one can buy mobile phone chargers, toddlers’ clothes, pots, everything, or anything. Based on recent field research, the paper provides an insight into the background of the ‘machinga’ culture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The photos were taken during different visits in the last five years.