Brick Lane bananas

Selling bananas on Brick Lane, 1988

Growing bananas is a big business. It takes months to clear the land, dig holes and put in banana plants. The bananas on display here are going cheap and will be perfectly edible if they are eaten within a couple of days before they begin to rot.

Bananas on Brick Lane

This trader is in his favourite spot by the bridge in Brick Lane. He attracts potential buyers with his loud cries suggesting that they are the best and cheapest bananas in the world.

Bananas grow in clusters, which are known as ‘hands’. A hand consists of 10 to 20 bananas. Here the trader uses his cluster as a prop for his street theatre sale. The man staring at the merchandise appears to be in a trance and is about to make a purchase.

The banana man is supported by strong vocal chords. He can be heard on the opposite side of Brick Lane. It would be very difficult to walk past him without considering a banana purchase. The banana man is a shrewd publicist for his goods. He knows that if he gets someone to stop and listen then he is half way to a sale.

The banana man takes a break and greets a friend

In the 1980’s the banana man was a permanent fixture at the sunday market on Brick Lane. He was a brilliant street performer who turned Brick Lane into his stage.