On a dusty road just south of Downtown lies a small market bursting with the treasures of distant Africa.

The African Village, a small venue nestled behind a row of hotels along South Freeway, south of West 22nd Street, has been a Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase staple for more than 10 years, organizers said.

About 30 vendors travel to Tucson from Zaire, Gambia, South Africa and a handful of other African countries to sell their goods at the small market. Today is the last day the village will be open for business.

While just about every type of mineral and gem can be found at the hundreds of gem show venues across town, the village deals more in the traditional and decorative goods of southern and western Africa.

Ancient money, fertility goddesses, drums and beads - some of which were once used as currency for slave trading - are just a sampling of the goods sold at the site. Tapestries, carved household items and steaming plates of African food are also available.

George Topham, the show's coordinator, said the village moved this year from its old location near the Sheraton Four Points hotel, 350 S. Freeway, because of zoning problems.

Topham said the change in locations and the economic slump felt across the nation worked together to drag profits far below levels seen in previous years. "It's been very bad this year. We've seen about half the people we saw last year," he said.

Other vendors echoed Topham's concerns, but many said, bad business or not, the market still gives customers a chance to look at and learn about the artistic and everyday items of Africa.

"We teach them a lot about African culture and the people and the history. That's what they find when they come here," said Jumoke Anoff-Sylla of the A Touch of Africa stand.

Many customers at the venue late Saturday said the African Village has goods not available elsewhere.

"You can't find big African markets in the states," said Karen McConkey, while looking over a carved set of tiger statues. "There's a good selection here and it's definitely unique."

While business did not match the hopes of many vendors there, most said they would return next year.

"Only an African can bring African art to America," said Kissima Drammeh, who sells wooden statues, masks and other decorative goods at the event. "I'll be back again next year."

* Contact Adam Borowitz at 629-9412 or borowitz@azstarnet.com.