By Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano

During my recent vacation, I had the fantastic opportunity to explore the bustling early morning market in Brgy Anuling, Patikul, our new community here in my beloved homeland, Sulu. According to my mother, this market comes to life only every Saturday. Since it’s just a short distance away, we decided to walk there from our house. 

As we joyfully walk from our house to the market in the early morning, we are enveloped by a lush canopy of verdant trees, filling the air with a refreshing coolness; especially here in Sulu, Alhamdu Lillāh, it rains cats and dogs almost daily.

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Upon our arrival at the market, we were greeted by the sight of only a handful of countryside vendors who had set up their stalls along the market road. However, this tranquil scene soon changed when a truck transporting Badjao vendors pulled up. 

As the truck came to a stop, the Badjao vendors swiftly disembarked, ready to display and arrange their wares along the market road. The Badjao vendors were selling high-class dried fish and various mouthwatering fresh seafood. 

On the other hand, fresh fruits such as bananas, avocados, wanni, jackfruit, and papaya, along with vegetables like corn, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, unripe marang and jackfruit, dabung, onions, garlic, tomatoes, chilies, coconuts, panggi’ (grated tapioca) were being sold by the countryside vendors. 

One of the most captivating scenes at this market was witnessing the lively bartering between the Badjao vendors and the rural marketgoers. It was an exchange filled with vibrant energy and negotiation. 

The rural marketgoers would engage the Badjao vendors in friendly banter, offering their produce and asking, “What would you like to trade for my goods?” 

In response, the Badjao vendors would generously provide a selection of their fresh seafood and high-class dried fish products, allowing the rural marketgoers to choose their desired exchange. 

For instance, a whole ripe jackfruit, coconut, or wanni from the rural marketgoers would be joyously swapped for savory dried fish or fresh seafood from the Badjao vendors.

I talked with one of the rural marketgoers who traded nearly 2 kilograms of his ripe wanni with a Badjao vendor. In return, the Badjao vendor offered him fresh fish. He said bartering with the Badjao vendors was common in this market. He said both parties were enthusiastic about exchanging items from the sea and the land.

I remember how my late paternal grandmother, Hja Asia Tulawie-Tan, used to exchange vegetables from our compound in Jolo with a Badjao fish seller for some fish. Both of them would gracefully agree to the exchange. 

I bought a giant, almost 10-15 kilograms of whole ripe and delectable jackfruit in this market for only 180 pesos. Indeed, you’ll love this market because the products are fresh and affordable. You can find delicious, freshly harvested, or caught items at budget-friendly prices.

Mā shā Allāh, I find it remarkable that one can acquire desired goods not through monetary means but through valuable and enriching conversations, such as bartering. I was truly fascinated to observe this type of amicable exchange again between a group of individuals and to witness such transactions continue.