#MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle - When the market is an excuse to let you know about another tradition of East Timor

Hi there, my dear Steemians!

Here is my post today to the #MarketFriday, initiated by my dear Denise <3!

I've been showing you, in the last couple of weeks on my #MarketFriday posts, one of the local markets of Díli, the capital of East Timor, the Taibessi Market :)).

As some of you are always interested in knowing more about the local traditions and culture, today the market is an excuse to let you know about another one. Come with me!

Timorese people, mostly the women, have always worked the most in the society. They are the main providers of their families. They work in the agriculture and in other heaviest activities.

So, since the ancient times, to forget the hunger and to get some extra energy, they chew a mixture of substances that provide them this (false) energy they need. They say this substance has hallucinogenic effects too. It's like a drug.

It's made of areca tree nut and lime and then wrapped in betel leaves. It's called "maska" (literally, chew) and women chew (and spit) it all day. It becomes red, and then their teeth also become red and eventually the lime ends up destroying them.
Here are some portraits where you can see some older women chewing maska, and its effects.

Thanks for the visit, Thanks, @dswigle, the sweet host of this wonderful challenge!

This is also my entry to the amazing Streetphotography by @photocontests and @juliank :)). Cheers to you too, my friend!

Photos taken by me.

Cheers to all! Have a wonderful Fridayyyyyy!

Isabel
Hippiesoul @nolasco
www.isabelnolasco.com

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