Beneath the urban exterior of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, lies a city rich in traditional markets and culture. As you wander along the rugged footpaths of Jakarta’s busy streets, it is difficult to ignore the vibrant colour and life that inhabits every corner.

For the most part, footpaths are crowded with small carts and the aroma of Indonesian cuisine and tobacco fills the air. The chaotic sounds of horns beeping, engines whirring and voices shouting, are reduced to ordinary background noise. For a split second, you forget the sickening humidity and the scorching sun and let yourself absorb the vibrant life that surrounds you.

But behind the smells, sights and sounds of Jakarta’s colourful market life, there is far greater meaning to be uncovered. For thousands of years, Indonesians have bought basic household items from their local markets. These markets have become an integral part of the city’s character and exist in almost every pocket of Jakarta; bursting with history and human life.

According to the travel information centre Jakarta100, there are an estimated 150 traditional markets located in Jakarta, with over 100,000 stalls and almost 2 million daily visitors. For many Indonesians living here, the markets are an essential part of daily life. Local fruit and vegetable market owner Aanjay, said most Indonesians will begin each day with a trip to the local markets. This is because many cannot afford to have refrigerators, and therefore must buy fresh fruit and meat each day.

A recent finding by the UN Human Settlements Program, have estimated 26 percent of Indonesia’s population currently reside in slums, with 5 million of those people living from within Jakarta. For this reason, many locals wish to purchase household items from markets rather than shopping malls, simply because they cannot afford the prices.

Despite Jakarta’s abundance of markets, many of the items sold are often similar, but may vary to suit the ethnic groups within the area. Of these markets, many will range in size and nature. Traditional markets for example, are those used by Indonesians for basic household needs. They sell items such as fruit, vegetables, spices, meat and fish. Alternatively, speciality markets may sell one specific item such as vintage pots, birds, flowers or fish.

When approaching the markets in Jakarta, it is not uncommon to see many vendors illegally situated on the outskirts of traditional markets. This is often due to the high cost of renting a stall within the perimeter of the markets. In Jakarta, this is regulated by the local government, who control Pasar Jaya - the company which own a large percentage of Jakarta's market stalls.

Despite this, traditional markets in Jakarta are an integral part of the city's character. They are responsible for sustaining millions of Indonesians each day and have become a central part of life. Traditional markets provide insight into the lives of those living within Jakarta and offer a greater understanding into the true meaning of Indonesian culture.