Souvenir shopping in Africa
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Village Artisanal
At this easy-going centre you'll see Togolese artisans weaving cloth, carving statues, making baskets and lampshades, sewing leather shoes and constructing cane chairs and tables - all for sale at reasonable fixed prices. Lomé is famous for leather sandals; they were originally all made at the Village Artisanal, but you can also buy them around the Grand Marché.
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Association Al Kawtar
Bring some baraka (good vibes) to your table with hand-embroidered table linens in spare, striking designs, all made at a nonprofit vocational training and daycare centre for disabled women and their children. Exquisitely edged pillow cases, hand towels and napkins make lovely feel-good gifts at perfectly reasonable fixed prices.
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Centre Artisanal
This large government-run establishment is a good place to get an idea of what handicrafts are available in Cameroon, although prices are a little high. Wood carving figures highly in what's on offer
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Mezimbite Forest Centre
Central Mozambique's forests have long been plundered, but there's finally some good news on the scene. If you have extra time and are interested in learning about local sustainable development projects, take a few hours to visit Mezimbite Forest Centre, about 50km west of Beira along the EN6.
In addition to promoting sustainable conservation of the surrounding forests through maximising the forests' benefits to local residents, it trains artisans and craftpersons to be competitive in quality at the highest levels, producing exclusive furniture designs, jewellery and other items that are marketed internationally.
The centre can be visited during the daytime (and preferably…
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Souvenir Shops
In some of the Adare houses in the Old Town, the ever-enterprising Adares have set up souvenir shops displaying beautifully made baskets, and silver and amber jewellery. The house of Fatuma Safir Ahmed, just north of the main market, is one example. Another is Zeituna Yusuf Grille's shop, just south of the market, which is as good as an antique shop.
Amber necklaces and baskets are on sale, but remember to bring your sharpest bargaining skills! Because these shops are family-run, they may not always be 'open'. Knock on the doors.
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Woodcarving Workshops
Essaouira is well known for its woodwork and you can visit the string of woodcarving workshops near the Skala de la Ville. The exquisite marquetry work on sale is made from local fragrant thuya wood, which is now an endangered species. Although the products are beautiful and sold at excellent prices, buying anything made from thuya threatens the last remaining stands of trees by increasing demand and therefore encouraging illegal logging. For a guilt-free conscience look for crafts made from other woods instead.
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Masroure Abdillah
It usually takes decades to earn the title maâlem (master craftsperson), but young Masroure earns the title the hard way, pounding wool with savon noir (black soap) into felt. He then moulds it into seamless slippers, baubles for necklaces, and sturdy tote bags. Masroure's felt flowers come in snappy shades of natural brown, bright orange and splashy hot pink, and make groovy brooches, hatpins and everlasting bouquets.
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Pama Sinatoa
Djenné is famous for bogolan, or mud-cloth. Although the cloth is on sale all across town, the most famous female artisan is Pama Sinatoa, whose workshop is near the town entrance. The quality is top-notch, the selection enormous, and in the showrooms they do demonstrations on how the cloth is dyed. The sales pitch is more encouraging than hard-sell and they tend to be open daylight hours.
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Sousse Medina
Sousse medina probably has the most interesting combination of religious and historical monuments. It is also one of the most convenient places to shop in all of Tunisia. Besides an enormous array of traditional shops, and souvenir shops that operate on the barter system, there are many price-fixed centres scattered around the medina and along blvd de la Corniche in the Ville Nouvelle.
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Marché Kermel
The covered Marché Kermel, behind Av Sarraut and within walking distance of Marché Sandaga, sells a mixture of foodstuffs and souvenirs. It's mainly worth visiting for the beautiful building that shelters its busy stalls. The original 1860 construction burnt down in 1994, but the 1997 reconstruction has been closely modelled on the building's initial structure and decoration.
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Rue des Artisans
Close to Grand Marché is this relatively low-pressure place to buy woodcarvings and brasswork - including some fetching malachite jewellery - from Burkinabé, Senegalese, Nigerian and Malian traders. The short street is east of Hôtel du Golfe, with some private art galleries at the north end. Come with your haggling cap firmly on.
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Artes Maconde
Artes Maconde has an excellent selection of carvings and other crafts from around the country. They do international air and sea shipping and also take orders for local crafts and carvings. For anyone interested in high-quality Mozambican crafts, it's an essential stop. There's another outlet at the Pemba Beach Hotel in Praia de Wimbi.
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Antiquaire Haut-Atlas
Look out for the Antiquaire Haut-Atlas , the most reputable dealer in top-quality objects, with a huge collection of well-chosen carpets, fabulous jewellery and antique pottery. At Galerie du Sud artist Amahou Mohamed sells his striking paintings mounted in frames made out of recycled bike tyres.
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Souq al-Had
For some Moroccan atmosphere head to Souq al-Had in the southeastern suburbs, with souvenirs, household goods and a second-hand items area outside the western gate. At Souq al-Had you can also buy fresh fruit and veg from the Souss Valley. It’s liveliest on Saturday and Sunday
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Couleurs Orientales Marrakesh
Your one-stop shop for snazzy Marrakesh mementos, including clever tasselled silk necklaces, striped silk flip-flops, and Tigmi cooperative placemats in deep orange with an embroidered zigzag edge. The fixed prices are less than what you'd pay for similar items along Rue de la Liberté.
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Bryanston Organic Market
Arts and crafts are on offer here but the main draw is the splendid organic produce. There are stalls bursting with organic meats, cheese and breads, as well as quick eats, from tea to vegetarian Indian. Organisers support fair trade, organic produce and handmade arts and crafts.
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Nuance
It's hard to beat this boutique for its combination of eclectic African art, textiles, clothing and carvings, all at reasonable (and fixed) prices. It supports local artists with occasional exhibitions, and its setting back from the street lends it a tranquil air.
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Makonde Carvers
Pemba has some wonderful crafts, and is an especially good place to buy Makonde carvings. There's a group of Makonde Carvers in Alto-Gingone near the large mango tree opposite the airport, where you can get some good pieces at very reasonable prices.
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Village Artisanal de Ouaga
This government-run co-operative has, arguably, the widest range of products - clothing, textiles, leatherwork, painting, wood- and metal-carving, and jewellery - and is ideal for getting a fix on prices and quality without the hard sell.
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Craft Shop
Pemba has some wonderful crafts, and is an especially good place to buy Makonde carvings. Try the small Craft Shop on the road between town and Wimbi beach. It's about 700m down from Av 25 de Septembro on the left side and unmarked.
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Centre de Promotion de l'Artisinal
There are more beckoning hands than quality work in this large centre, but it's worth a look to get your cultural bearings. The boutiques sell woodcarvings, bronzes, batiks, leather goods, jewellery and appliqué banners.
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Village des Artisans
At the Village des Artisans most of the goods (and the merchants) are imports. If you're going to be travelling in other African countries you'll find much better prices for the same stuff.
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Haileselassie Alemayehu
This shop sells a wide array of items, like paintings, baskets, icons, woodcarvings and traditional clothing. Thanks to fixed (and fair) prices, there's no hassle here.
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Zaka Boutique
This fine boutique showcases African textiles, as well as a few carvings, homeware and jewellery, in a low-key setting. Prices are fixed and surprisingly reasonable.
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Northmead Market
Northmead Market is best place for kitschy souvenirs. The choice is limited, but the carvings, fabrics and pottery on offer are reasonably priced.
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