Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market — Attraction in New York

A busy marketplace at time it resembles what you would find in the market places of west Africa. You'll find authentic clothes and even have some made many of the renters here are tailors, they know how to sew. I usually buy earrings here often times the market place will have prices like 3 for $10 or $15. One pair of quality earrings for $5.00. You'll find drum sets and african Xylophones. So much to see, a tidbit of information its owned by Malcolm Shabazz masjid, hence the name Malcolm Shabazz Market. Its always known as the African market though. The only issue I find with this, is the marketplace being that its Malcolm Shabazz marketplace who was an African American should have African Americans here as well, African american shops. instead there are none. I find it sad that in the village of Harlem there where its known to be a black African American town has hardly any African american store owners of any kind. Instead Yemenis rent store, indians, chinese asians, and Jamaicans. Nothing against any of these ethnic groups, however the African anerican has been here since the beginning and we barely see any African americans in Harlem or nyc period own much of anything. This must change. Other then that this market is a must see especially if your a tourist or even live here in NYC Harlem I love to be a tourist in...

What a great find on 116th! It's a small African market in Harlem away from 125th trendy vendors. These booths have way more African imported varieties. Beware, though. Vendors are desperate to sell, so at times, they may not tell you the truth about the origins of where things come from. They definitely make up stories because I know for fact. Some of the things they said we're hand-made or from particular places were not. I am sure too they base their prices off of what you look like and what you're wearing. Don't take your 1st bargain from your 1st booth work your way through because the ones at the end will be much better price points and as you come back through people are willing to come down and haggle. Sometimes, the asking price that I was given was just outrageous. I definitely spent a bit of money here and got several things that I took back to los angeles as gifts. I will definitely return every time I go to New York to this area. It's kind of hidden, so I highly suggest you check it out. Example booth 1 a bracelet asking price $10. Booth at other end same exact bracelet $5. So be prepared to negotiate with...

Alot has changed over the years at the market. I will say they are in transition and under construction. However you can find some of the best hand made west african products around. Not to mention Ousmane Sylla in booth 49 and his assistant Omar Cisse the tailors. They will create some of the most beautifully embroidered garments you've ever seen. He has mens robes for marriage and prayer in an array of colors and sizes. They also do alterations. The prices are very reasonable. He sells men's women and children's clothing, hats scarves jewelry lotions and creams.

Across from him is binta who makes custom waist beads sometimes while you wait. Then there's a beautiful sister adja who sells perfumes fir the home "thuraye" and body. Ready made exquisite clothing and very feminine undergarments, leather pockebooks. 🥰

There is a second adja that sells custome robes and original not bootleg scents straight from Dubai. Including the most popular ones all over Instagram right now.

They open at different times mid morning but will usually stay til 8pm. Monday...