The flea market constituted a specific phenomenon in the context of market formation. Some social, cultural,
and structural backgrounds trigger the formation of a flea market. This research aimed to uncover the
processes of forming the flea market in Bukitinggi as a part of the Minangkabau community in West Sumatra,
Indonesia. By applying the qualitative method, data were collected from observations and in-depth interviews
with informants from the Bukittinggi flea market. The 14 informants participating in this research were the flea
market’s managers, sellers, and buyers. The thematic observations were carried out regularly to capture the
real conditions and the discussions among the community members. The data analysis and triangulation refer
to Miles and Huberman’s model. The findings confirm Aspers’ approach to market formation. The flea market
was formed through three simultaneous processes: spontaneous, autonomous, and state-governed market
creation. The stages of the flea