Gift shopping in Africa
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Rue des Consuls
Rue des Consuls is the best place to go if you want to shop at the stalls and choose crafts or gifts. Rabat was traditionally an artisan centre and a wide range of handicrafts are still practised here, so the choice and quality of goods is generally high. There are more offerings along Blvd Tariq al-Marsa towards the kasbah. You'll find everything in this area from jewellery, silks and pottery to zellij and carved wooden furniture.
Weaving was one of the most important traditional crafts in Rabat, and the more formal, Islamic style is still favoured. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings women descend from the villages to auction their carpets to local salesmen at the carpet…
reviewed
-
A
Sidi Ahmad Gabaz Stucco
Like any visitor with 20/20 vision, you may already be awestruck by the stucco detail up the street at the Ali ben Youssef Medersa - and this is your chance to take home a piece of the stucco action. Sidi Ahmad carves traditional geometric and floral designs right in his shop as well as sweet nothings in French, but with a day's turnaround he will very graciously carve your house number or whatever you like in English…just don't get any four-letter ideas, you naughty people.
reviewed
-
B
Imiso Ceramics
At the Old Biscuit Mill you’ll find the studio of Imiso Ceramics. Imiso, which means tomorrow in Xhosa, is an upmarket brand of ceramic art developed by award-winning ceramicist Andile Dyalvane and three partners. His work represents traditional objects such as Xhosa (isiXhosa) milk pails and Ngumi storage vessels, with surface treatment inspired by tribal body scarification.
reviewed
-
C
Marché Capitale
Marché Capitale offers a bit of everything. Potential souvenirs include brass teapots, silver jewellery, traditional wooden boxes with silver inlay, pipes, leather bags, sandals, cushions, beads and grigri. You'll find dress material, colourful Soninké tie-dyed material, Senegalese batiks and the inexpensive, crinkly malafa (fabric) that Moor women use as veils.
reviewed
-
D
Clementina Ceramics
The super-colourful ceramics of Clementina van der Walt take their inspiration from the geometric patterns of Zulu and Ndebele beadwork, and traditional African basketry, pottery and textiles. One of her ranges is used as tableware at the Africa Café where you can buy pieces at the gift shop. Her main showroom is Clementina Ceramics.
reviewed
-
E
Galeries Frederic Damgaard
Essaouira has a reputation as an artists hub, and several galleries around town sell works by local painters. It’s a mixed bag of talent and you may need to look in all of them before finding something you like. Galeries Frederic Damgaard is the best and oldest in town and features the work of local artists.
reviewed
-
F
Wallflower
Follow the trail of rose petals up the stairs to this interior-design boutique, which stocks a fine selection of gifts. Choose from handmade candles, body products (which you can test) and delicate ceramics by the likes of Lisa Firer and Heather Mills, whose studio you can visit at Imhoff Farm .
reviewed
-
G
Eko Hotel Gatehouse
There are some good crafts on offer at the Eko Hotel Gatehouse, including carvings, calabashes and some unfortunate animals' skins. For batiks, Njoku St on the western side of Falomo Shopping Centre in Ikoyi is good. They're sold on the street and the selection is extensive.
reviewed
-
H
Centre National d'Artisanat et d'Art
Profits here go directly to the artisan and although the quality of the products is mixed, take time to look over the bronze statues, wooden sculptures and colourful batiks, for there are some gems among the standard items you'll find elsewhere.
reviewed
-
I
Jewel of Africa
This attractive shop offers an eclectic range of carvings, sketches, shawls and other assorted African knick-knacks. Although not everything is made in Botswana, prices here are reasonable (and fixed).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Kalk Bay Quarter
A good place to rummage for gifts. Look at the ceramics by Tessa Gawith, the traditional-style confectionary of Sweet & Salty Mason's, and Brett Murray's Boogie Lights series of wall lamps.
reviewed
-
K
Craft Workshop
This small complex of shops sells crafts and souvenirs, and also plays host to a flea market on the morning of the last Sunday of each month. To get there take the 'Broadhurst Route 3' combi.
reviewed
-
L
Heartworks
reviewed
-
M
Baraka
Eclectic décor and gifts like quad paintings on Mandela by Dominic Logan and handmade leather journals and photo albums by Gavin Terblanche (www.worldsofwonder.co.za).
reviewed
-
Centre de Formation Feminine Artisanale
Embroidered tablecloths and napkins, and woven rugs are the speciality of this women's cooperative, which is in Gounghin, off the road to Bobo-Dioulasso on the western outskirts of town.
reviewed
-
N
Card Shop
This pretty little shop sells good-quality postcards and posters. There are some gifts too such as tadelakt (smooth, lustrous lime plaster).
reviewed
-
O
Artisans' Centre
At the museum's Artisans' Centre, you can watch the creative process and purchase silver, leather and other items direct from artists.
reviewed
-
P
Garmy's Confection
Garmy's Confection and Cajou right next door, both have a lovely range of toys and bags made from African fabrics.
reviewed
-
Q
Bobo Art
One small shop that stands out for its variety of masks, statues and light sales-pitch is Bobo Art.
reviewed
-
R
Papeterie Centrale
Papeterie Centrale has the city's best postcards.
reviewed
Advertisement