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Jamaica, West Indies - Rope Tobacco Sellers
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Jamaica, West Indies - Rope Tobacco Sellers
Street Sellers of Rope Tobacco, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Date: circa 1905
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 20162965
© Bubblepunk / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Caribbean Coil Coils Indies Jamaica Jamaican Jul17 Kingston Parasols Rope Sellers Selling Tobacco Traders Vendors
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This evocative photograph captures the vibrant scene of rope tobacco sellers plying their trade on the bustling streets of Kingston, Jamaica in the early 1900s. The image, taken circa 1905, depicts a group of Jamaican vendors skillfully coiling and displaying their ropes of tobacco leaves under colorful parasols. The sellers, dressed in traditional clothing, engage with potential customers, offering samples of their wares and engaging in lively banter. Rope tobacco, also known as chaw tobacco, was a popular form of tobacco consumption in the Caribbean during this era. It was typically sold in long, twisted ropes, which were then chewed or "chawed" for their nicotine content. The tobacco was often flavored with various spices and herbs, adding to its unique character. The sellers in this photograph are shown expertly coiling the tobacco ropes, a process that required great skill and dexterity. The coils were then displayed on the ground or on makeshift tables, inviting passersby to inspect and purchase the tobacco. The parasols provide shade from the tropical sun, adding to the sense of marketplace activity and energy. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural history of Jamaica and the West Indies during the early 20th century. It captures the vibrant street life of Kingston, the lively trade in rope tobacco, and the resilient spirit of the vendors who made their living in this bustling marketplace.
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