MATTIA CORATO
Mal Bazaar

Kyrgyzstan hosts some of the busiest animal markets in Central Asia. The bazaars of Osh and Karakol teem with tethered and complaining cattle and with people bargaining for the goods on offer. There are those who test new horses trotting through the crowd, and those who just bought one and shoe it before riding it back home. Some sellers drag their animals through the market, while some buyers check the fat of fat-tailed sheep with the palms of their hands. Despite all this noise and bustle somebody is even enjoying a nap after a night negotiation. Animal markets are also a place of commerce in its purest form. It is interesting to witness ongoing negotiations and how cultures and opinions collide between locals. People have endless discussion while holding hands and moving their arms up and down, until a strong and hard-earned handshake seals the deal. Visiting animal bazaars gives you an authentic insight into the culture of Kyrgyz people and their rural life in its unadorned form.

Author
I was born in Milan back in 1983 and I started taking pictures as a young teenager. Today I live in London and my passion for photography is still alive and growing every day. I am particularly interested in street and documentary photography. I love the look and the feeling of analog pictures and the whole emotional process around it. Shooting film gives me special satisfaction and happiness.

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