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Bird Market, Esfahan, Iran
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Hi guys, I posted a good few pictures of Iran in this section earlier, probably should have posted it in Travel really, but here’s a few more with more of a documentary feel.
I visited a bird market in the labyrinthine bazaar in Esfahan, Iran and hung around for a while, There was a language barrier but they were all eager to show me around and point out the things i should take pictures of! I stayed long enough for them to forget about me, which was more ideal.
For the most part the conditions were awful and the bird handling was a little depressing, but its a different world and no different from any butchers except you have to bear the weight of actually killing the bird.
The colourful chicks the children were so interested in are bought for a season changing celebration, the chicks are dyed by an injection into the eggs and the colourful feathers fall off as they grow up, presumably to live normal iranian chicken lives.Thanks for looking
I’ve seen these bird markets also, unfortunately I have no photos of them to compare with these…..
great photos as always.
These are interesting photos, but its pretty disgusting what they do to the birds for fun.
From what I’ve heard and read chickens in factory farms in the west have a much worse time of it, pumped full of chemicals/antibiotocs and dye to make the yolks stronger in colour.
Its hard to say nice colourful photos, but I will say very good documentary work.Martin
Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Liam I’d love to see your photos of Iran, do you have a flickr or anything? I saw some of your mongolia pictures which were really fascinating.
This place had an atmosphere, being full of local men and women buying the dinner while their children marvelled at the birds like it was a zoo. There seemed to be a huge divide between what the kids saw and what was actually going on.
The picture of the chick leaning over the edge of the box is one of my favourites, I was leaning in to take the picture and the owner patted him back into the box, I awkwardly stood back up, and upon realising what i had been doing, he picked up another chick and gruffly potted it in the same position! They’re his legs in the background, just before he walked over :)A desktop background? :P
I haven’t been in Iran, but saw similar markets in China & Pakistan, i.e. the coloured chicks. I’ve heard great things about Iran & would love to visit some day. All my travel shots are on film, so am scanning them in a few at a time. Will post some from Pakistan in a few days time.
One thing that stands out from your photos; its a mans world in these countries. There are no women running food stalls in the markets in India, Pakistan or I presume Iran (though I believe Iran is less conservative than Pakistan).
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