Little big history of the Waterlooplein Market

The Waterlooplein Market is a bustling and vibrant flea market situated in the heart of Amsterdam. Its lively stalls are filled with the chatter of people from around the world, buying and selling bikes, second-hand clothes, art, and furniture. Different generations, cultures, and gender identities come together to interact, creating an appealing environment for both tourists and locals.

The market dates back to 1882, following the construction of Waterloo Square. Jewish merchants who had been trading on Jodenbreestraat were relocated to the new square by the city council (1). During World War II, the market stalls were left without merchants, as most were deported to concentration camps. Consequently, Waterloo Square reverted to being just an ordinary square (2). After the war, merchants resumed their trading activities, but it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that the flea market truly flourished and became significant to many (3).
The Waterlooplein Market serves as a compelling case study of what it means to be human, providing a window into the deepest aspects of our consciousness. At first glance, it might seem like a simple jumble of random objects, but if one observes closely, one will notice the faint trail that connects all modern living things to each other and their shared past.

A market that transcends species

Trade, for example, is one of the oldest practices in the world. It has been associated with humans for a long time, but different studies have shown animal species engaging in trading behaviors as well. German professor Peter Hammerstein calls these interactions “biological markets.” He defines them as cooperation between organisms that often involves mutually beneficial exchanges of services or resources (4). This idea connects to important animal behaviors like symbiosis and mutualism.

Symbiosis is a relationship between two organisms whose origin can vary depending on who is benefiting from it (5). American historian David Christian explains in his Origin Story how common it is for different species to collaborate through symbiosis by discussing how humans have vital symbiotic relationships with many animal and plant species, incorporating humans into the natural world (6).

A clear example of symbiosis is the relationship between oxpeckers and large mammals like rhinos and zebras. The oxpeckers remove parasites from the mammals’ skin, and in return, they get a meal (7). This mutual benefit illustrates a natural form of trading that can be translated to human environments in the Waterlooplein Market: the rhino, infested with parasites, represents the vendor, while the oxpecker acts as the customer.

Another fascinating example is the New Caledonian crow, which exchanges items with one another, using food or tools as currency. This behavior shows a more human-like exchange, revealing a remarkable understanding of value (8). Not only that, but it also shows how well these multicellular species can convey complex information in ways that we thought were unique to humans (9).

These “biological markets” (10) are often the result of a complex evolutionary process. An inter-species symbiotic relationship can develop to ensure that both animals are protected against their predators. In David Christian’s words, “Evolution is not just a matter of competition […] We also see collaboration and symbiosis (11).”
A compelling example can be observed in how anemones harbor clownfish because the clownfish help remove parasites and provide nutrients through their waste. In return, clownfish seek refuge among the anemone's stinging tentacles. Over time, natural selection has favored traits in both species that have strengthened this relationship: clownfish are immune to the anemone’s poison, which allows them to perform their helpful tasks without risk, while anemones have evolved to be more accommodating to the presence of clownfish (12). Much like the symbiotic relationship between anemones and clownfish, mutual benefit and adaptation are also key features in the relationship between vendors and customers in the Waterlooplein Market. Vendors adapt their merchandise and pricing to a constantly changing economy, while shoppers adjust their spending habits based on availability, seasonal factors, and personal needs. By trading goods, vendors ensure they have unique items and build customer loyalty, while customers receive products that meet their preferences.

Studying such trading behaviors in the animal kingdom gives us valuable insights into our trading habits. While human trade is influenced by culture, biological factors also play a significant role in our instinct to exchange goods and services. The symbiotic interactions mentioned above imply that the roots of trading—and consequently of the Waterlooplein Market—extend far beyond human civilization.

A market that transcends language

However, the Waterlooplein market functions not only as a place of trade but also as an international space in which different cultures can meet and interact around a shared language.

There is evidence of simpler trading systems appearing in prehistoric times, where early humans bargained for food, tools, and crafts in exchange for various services. Today, even though we have established money as a global currency—which we call by different names depending on the context—the definition of trade remains: “the activity of […] exchanging goods and services between people or countries (13).”

This definition highlights the fundamental role of communication in trade. For instance, in the Waterlooplein market, there is a constant exchange of goods and services, as well as information, which is possible only because people have acquired a shared language to understand one another. David Christian writes in his Origin Story that the ability to share and accumulate large quantities of information is what distinguishes humans from animals (14). Even though, as mentioned in the New Caledonian crows’ case, such a statement might now be considered inaccurate, for the sake of this connection, it is important to explore the origins of language. How did language develop, and how has it contributed to the history of the Waterlooplein market’s trading practices?

It is hard to pinpoint the exact origin of language. In a recent article, “Language: Its Origin and Ongoing Evolution,” the authors explain the major elements that contributed to the development of this mysterious practice, along with some controversies surrounding the nature of language. One particularly relevant notion mentioned in the paper is that linguistics is moving away from the idea that people are born with an innate ability to understand language (15). This shift not only emphasizes the role of cultural environments and learning in language acquisition but also suggests that language can be influenced by the context in which it is used.

Language's ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment is also reflected in the context of the Waterlooplein market. Following the construction of Waterloo Square in 1882, the Jewish merchants who had been trading on Jodenbreestraat were relocated to the new square. Around this time, Sephardic Jews came to Amsterdam from Portugal to avoid being forced to convert to Catholicism. By the end of that century, Ashkenazi Jews from Central Europe also made their way to Amsterdam as war refugees. The ethnic diversity of the market was reflected in the myriad languages you could hear on its streets: Dutch, Portuguese, German, Yiddish, Hebrew, and Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), each representing their unique heritage (16). Since then, Amsterdam has welcomed people from around the world, contributing even more to the multi-cultural aspect of the Waterlooplein market.

Heritage and culture are quintessential factors in the development of a language. The Dutch big historian Esther Quaedackers explained—echoing David Christian’s ideas—that what differentiates us from animals is our ability to be cumulative learners. That is the ability to convey large quantities of information and pass them down to other people (17). This process seemed to have developed as a consequence of bipedalism. When our ancestors started walking upright around 6 to 7 million years ago, changes in our physiology made childbirth more challenging (18). Children suddenly required more time to become independent (from 5 years to 18 years), and this extra time led to more opportunities for cultural learning. At this point, early humans started living in a camp setting, in which the adults responsible for protecting the youth created an environment where information, such as tool-making, was shared in a way that allowed children to observe and copy what the adults did (19).

This collective learning (20) is mirrored in the trading practices of the Waterlooplein market, where the constant exchange of goods and services facilitated linguistic development among different cultural groups. As people engage in trade, they adapt their language to connect and communicate with one another, creating a rich cultural environment for which the market is known. A lot of the stalls in the market are family establishments that have been standing for decades. The older generation created the foundations for their youngest to build their business on, passing down information and traditions the same way early humans did with their younglings.

The Waterlooplein market stands as a testament to the complex connection between language, culture, and trade. Its unique history reflects the diverse cultures that have shaped and continue to shape Amsterdam’s atmosphere today. The market is a living example of how language practices have evolved over the years and will continue to do so because of globalization. It effectively draws a parallel between early humans trading tools with one another and modern humans bargaining over the price of a leather jacket.

A market that transcends physical boundaries

We have previously examined how trading practices foster feelings of collaboration between humans and non-humans alike. For this last connection, we will dive into the opposing territory, exploring the depths of competitiveness instead.
In the Waterlooplein market, while the stalls are brimming with unique goods, the vendors engage in friendly competition, each trying to attract attention in their own creative way. Clients, too, compete with one another to secure the best finds. The market serves as a fascinating case study for analyzing these behaviors and understanding whether the “balance” between competition and cooperation is an inherently human trait or the result of modern cultural systems.

“Competition” in psychology is a social scenario where people believe that achieving their own goals makes it harder for others to achieve theirs (21). When one person succeeds, it is seen as a setback for someone else. In our modern society, these feelings are widely recognized and accepted in various fields, such as the Waterlooplein Market, schools, and sports. They manifest in different ways, and for this reason, competition is considered more of a spectrum than a fixed phenomenon (22). Throughout history, we have witnessed many examples of competition, but two that are particularly relevant to the evolution of the Waterlooplein Market can be found in the period of European colonization of the Americas.

British historian Peter Frankopan often discusses the concept of competition in his book The Earth Transformed. Since the early stages of civilization, the struggle for food, shelter, and hunting territories has been a common theme in human settlements. Initially, these traits may have been linked solely to the scarcity of resources caused by climatic changes. However, the colonial missions carried out by Europeans from the 15th century onward revealed unprecedented competitive social behaviors that have had such a profound impact on the world that we can still observe their consequences today.

For example, in the 1540s Spanish expeditions in New Mexico, the colonizers and the local people ended up competing for shelter and resources, which resulted in the displacement of the latter. Contemporary sources claim that the Spanish conquistadores burned natives’ homes for warmth (23). This gruesome event, at its core, mirrors the competitive dynamics seen at the Waterlooplein Market, where vendors vie for the attention of consumers and the best spots to sell their goods. Just as the Spanish colonizers prioritized their needs over those of the local populations, often leading to displacement and violence, vendors may sometimes engage in cutthroat competition that can overshadow community support and cooperation. This raises questions about the ethical implications of competition: when does the drive to succeed lead to the marginalization of others, whether in historical contexts or contemporary marketplaces? Understanding these behaviors encourages critical reflections on how competition shapes not just economic landscapes but also social relationships and power dynamics.

Another compelling example from around the same period is the silver mining in Cerro Rico de Potosí by the Spanish in Bolivia. The ore extracted from these mountains significantly contributed to Spain's wealth and provided a considerable advantage in global trade, particularly due to the immense demand for silver in China (24). The competition for resources and monopolization seen in this context reflect dynamics that are also observable in the Waterlooplein Market, albeit on a much different scale. Although vendors in the market engage in a healthier, much more peaceful form of competition, the underlying motivations and behaviors—such as vying for attention and securing the best products—echo the intense struggles for dominance and resources that characterized the colonial era.

Competitiveness is a complex and nuanced feeling, whether it is built into us or has been taught through many years of social inequalities. American physicist Karen Barad wrote that reality is made of interactions between different entities (25), and places like the Waterlooplein Market, which thrives on these interactions, serve as valuable case studies for analyzing certain behaviors. Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of competition – both historical and contemporary – allows us to analyze the ethical implications of our actions and the underlying structures that govern our society today.

In conclusion, the Waterlooplein market exists not only as a physical space but as a mosaic of human and nonhuman experiences. Interactions among atoms, animals, and people are imprinted in the wrinkled smiles of the old vendors, the diversity of their accents, and the peaceful chirping of crows trading trinkets on early mornings. Tracing a little big history of the market uncovers the origins of behaviors that often go unexamined. This exploration raises questions about how these dynamics influence social interactions and community building. Most importantly, the little big history of the Waterlooplein market highlights the unique aspects of the place and the hardworking people who contribute to its success every day.

Bibliography

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