Wooden Masks Vendor Ouargla Market Lane

Crisp high-altitude light floods a narrow flea market lane in Ouargla, illuminating a vendor standing beside a low wooden stall. Three hand-carved masks hang from the stall's front edge, their deep brown wood grain catching the sharp morning sun. Wisps of steam and cooking smoke drift horizontally through the air, partially veiling the colorful textiles stacked on adjacent tables. The vendor wears a loose, light-colored tunic, gesturing toward the masks while a customer in the background examines a woven basket. The ground is packed earth, scattered with small debris and shadows cast by the overhead stalls. The masks feature distinct geometric patterns, their hollow eye sockets dark against the bright, dusty air. A metal pot on a nearby burner releases a steady plume of white vapor that merges with the haze.