Tianguis

Tianguis (Tianquiztli) is a Mexican word derived from the Mexican indigenous language Nahuatl, or Aztec language, and is still frequently used today in Mexico to describe an open public market, i.e., a street market. Traditionally, the word has been used to describe markets where most of the vendors are indigenous Mexican farmers and craftsmen, however the use of the word has expanded to often include flea markets and other venues frequented by itinerant vendors. The word is most often used in areas that were traditional strongholds of the Aztec empire.

Tianguis is one of the few words used in the Spanish language that is identical in its singular and plural forms.


From the time of the Aztecs are organized so-called "tianguis" which were open-air markets. There were sold and traded all sorts of products, from food and animals to baskets and mats. At the present time, the tianguis can be seen throughout the city.

The term tianguis is also used in some areas of the Philippines due to the importation of the term from Mexico during the Spanish Colonial period. The term was then corrupted and modified to "Tiangge", a Filipino endonym for a standard flea market.