18 Unique Egyptian gifts and souvenirs to purchase in Cairo !
silver jewelry
cotton scarfs - linen scarfs - silk scarfs
oriental rugs
engraved brass items for interior decorating
incense
ancient egyptian gods and kings replica statues
khayameya ( Tent-makers applique designs )
egyptian theme printed t shirts
jewelry boxes
egyptian pottery
fayoum pottery
akhmim textiles
oriental sweets
papyrus
glass ornaments
Bedouin rugs
Bedouin shawls
wood carving
siwa oasis products
Tourists happen to be visiting Egypt for centuries . Egypt is a wonderful destination, considering the variety of mesmerizing sights to visit and many activities to do.
You go on a vacation or business trip to Egypt and also you arrive where you can your household bearing Egyptian gifts to ensure they are happy and find out the benefits within their eyes.
There a multitude of beautiful gifts in Cairo that you can certainly carry home. Egypt features a great crafts and weaving industries which go back 1000's of years ago.
The business and economy of Cairo has evolved dramatically within the last 15 years. Where both business and cultural life was once concentrated in Downtown Cairo and it’s environs, it is now dispersed in outlying satellite cities and suburbs as people choose to escape the city. Shopping has also largely been relocated to huge malls near or within these new communities. A trip on the mall is not likely to feature around the wish listing of any tourist visiting Cairo wanting authentic Egyptian souvenirs, gifts, or collectibles . A far more likely desire is always to rummage in specialty authentic shops. Despite Cairo’s changing geography this really is still the best possibility which enable it to reap great rewards. Few places on earth have such a rich and productive cultural heritage as Egypt. Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and European periods of influence and religious and ethnic diversity have gone a legacy of fabulous artisans and craftsmen. This makes contemporary Egypt a paradise for shoppers. Unique Egyptian gifts to consider home can be a novelty and unique.
If you might be puzzled by what souvenirs to purchase to consider home, check our mini report on 18 unique Egyptian presents to help you decide !
1- Silver jewelry
Obviously the key attraction for tourists is the legacy of Ancient Egypt and several workshops, both small and large specialize in producing faithful reproductions of Pharaonic artifacts. Of these jewelry is the most popular - being not simply beautiful and unusual but in addition extremely portable. While shopping in Egypt, many visitors pick a personalized Egyptian Cartouche which can be created to order in silver or gold. The Egyptian ankh necklace or ‘key of life’ has become the recognizable Pharaonic symbol and another favorite with shoppers because it is a well-loved amulet which spans cultures. There are many beautiful variations of Ankh jewelry there are actually to choose from.
Egyptian silver jewelry generally is great value. The level of craftsmanship is high as well as the choices very wide, as well as Pharaonic designs the souks are full of Bedouin, Coptic, fellahi ( country ), Islamic, Nubian and contemporary pieces. Traditionally, Egyptian silver jewelry is 800 silver but some shops now stock some components of 925 to appeal to international taste. Indeed silver jewelry is really a great Egyptian gift to loved ones.
2- Cotton scarfs
If you want your textiles being of carry-on size plus a smaller price then this handwoven cotton scarf could fit the bill. Super soft Egyptian cotton scarfs are one of the most effective gifts it is possible to carry back. Woven in Upper Egypt in the rainbow of colors as well as a wide collection of sizes a cotton scarf makes a great gift or perhaps a treat to self.
Egypt has a long history of weaving amazing cotton scarfs for countless years. Upper Egypt is renowned for hand-looming exquisite Egyptian cotton scarfs for girls as well as men designs that jump out. Specialty shops in Zamalek incorporate some unique excellent Egyptian cotton scarfs things that will impress the visitors.
3- Oriental rugs
Rugs weaving is probably the most ancient arts and crafts around the globe .The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in weaving textiles and amazing oriental rugs. Furthermore, Egypt location played an important role in spreading weaving techniques of oriental rugs to other civilizations since way back when.
A typical good demonstration of an excellent handmade items are the wonderful Oriental Rugs.
You have in all probability realized that they just don't come cheap. Handmade rugs are costly, however, there is a
good basis for this. Anything handmade may be valued at over it's machine-made counterpart.
4- Engraved brass interior decorating
For centuries Egypt artisans happen to be creating amazing hand engraved brass and copper trays and also other interior decor items like brass lamps .
5- Incense
The burning of incense was central towards the worship with the gods of Ancient Egypt and large quantities of incense were burned every single day in temples throughout Egypt.
Shops that cell incense in Cairo these are known as ( El Attar ) They are located adjacent to Khan El Khalili bazaar.
6- Ancient Egyptian stone carved statues and symbols
Egyptians believed their kings (Pharaohs ) to get the mediator between your gods and the arena of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris the father of Horus and god in the dead, and handed down his sacred powers and position for the new pharaoh, his son. The pharaoh’s divine status was portrayed in allegorical terms: his uraeus (the snake on his crown) spat flames at his enemies; he was able to trample thousands with the enemy around the battlefield; anf the husband was all-powerful, knowing everything and controlling nature and fertility.
Historically, ancient Egyptians worshiped and honored many gods and goddess, they built amazing impressive huge temples and great statues for example Ramsis II impressive statues. A lovely and quite a few interesting for our generations and will be the Bastet - the wild cat goddess, defender of Lower Kemet ( Egypt ). Ancient Egyptians have always loved and safeguarded domesticated cats, keeping them in their homes as his or her farms' protectors from Rodents and Birds. A statue memorabilia of your favorite king or gods replicas are available easily in some specialty shops
7- Tent makers what to buy in egypt ( Khayameya products )
Egyptian craft of tent making remains alive today. In Bab Zuwayla ( 10th Century) ,one of the oldest areas in Cairo - Khayameya St. or Charieh El Khayameya in Arabic .Khayyam 18 unique egyptian souvenirs means "tent" in Arabic. Here, inside the Street in the Tent makers, the traditional craft of developing huge tent pavilions, out of appliquéd cloth patterns continues to be persisted for hundreds of years. In that area Nomad Gallery features its own
makers producing Cushion covers , Wall hangings, bedding, and unique tents to your specifications. Such wonderful items can produce a marvelouse unique Egyptian gifts
8- Printed cotton t shirts
No you need to miss a excellent Egyptian cotton t shirt with Egyptian theme. And do avoid the lower quality that you simply get in common substandard quality touristic areas. Shop at specialized shops.
9- Jewelry boxes inlaid with mother of pearl
A mother of pearl nuggets box is more than minor spot to store your precious jewellery . For a very long time they are actually loved blessing things, and they have been especially prized as treasure endowments also. We should investigate the historical backdrop from the jewelry box and in addition consider its job as being a treasure blessing. Some beautiful mother of pearls boxes are already transferred for generations. These treasured boxes are viewed as wonderful items not simply on account in the gems they contain put to the recollections that they symbolize and in many case, for the excellent workmanship from the cases themselves.
10- Egyptian pottery
The Egyptian pottery production in ancient kemet (Egypt) was obviously a powerful industry that developed a selection of things that was able to resolve the essential needs of ancient Egyptian culture. Appropriate containers for liquids and grains. Shapes of Egyptian pottery in medieval times were diverse. The amphora pottery shape, that has been afterwards most frequent in every other ancient cultures, was one of the most practical and prevalent vase . It was made in all of the different sizes ; up-and-coming small to large to carry items from grain to water, beer and wine. Among the a huge selection of great Egyptian potters, Fayoum pottery received great propaganda one of the rest due towards the location and good reputation for Fayoum Oasis.
11- Akhmim textiles
Hand loomed Akhmim textiles are significantly recognized for that weaving and tapestry industries. Akhmim weaving is just about the oldest industry in Ancient Egypt. Woven product from Akhmim textiles were made specifically for your royal palaces from the kings. also its reputation persisted to the Ptolemaic generation. During Roman era Akhmim was recognized by its magnificent silk products which were exported to many people countries overseas.
12- Oriental sweets
Oriental sweets are derived from numerous cultures because of civilizations that occupied the region, like the Ottomans and Mamluks. These oriental sweets are incredibly unique in their taste and special ingredients are utilized when they're made. They are very popular item on Egyptian dining tables especially in the month of Ramadan as a result of their nutritional benefits. Try Konafa with nuts or Basbousa ! It is irresistible .
13- Papyrus
Papyrus can be a plant (cyperus papyrus) which once grew by the bucket load, primarily in the wilds in the Delta but additionally elsewhere in the Nile River Valley, but is quite rare. Papyrus buds opened from your horizontal root growing in shallow fresh water as well as the deeply saturated Delta mud. Stalks reached up to 16 ft . tall (5 m) ending in small brown flowers which regularly bore fruit. These plants once were simply part with the natural vegetation with the region, but once people found a utilitarian purpose on their behalf, we were holding cultivated and managed in farms, harvested heavily, as well as their supply depleted. Papyrus still exists in Egypt today but also in reduced number.
The papyrus of Egypt is most closely linked to writing - in reality, the English word 'paper' originates from the saying 'papyrus' - however the Egyptians found many uses to the plant other than a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus was utilized as being a food source, to produce rope, for sandals, for boxes and baskets and mats, as blinds, material for toys such as dolls, as amulets to defend against throat diseases, and also to generate small fishing boats. At papyrus shops you will be able to locate a variety of unique Egyptian gifts.
14- Glass ornaments –mouth blown glass
Egyptians were one of many first to use glass in their art and culture. As far back as 2500 BC, amulets and solid glass beads were stated in Mesopotamia. About 1000 years later, the Egyptians also began making glass. Glass is produced from a mixture of silica-sand, lime and soda. There so many unique glass ornaments you can buy such as Christmas balls, perfume bottles, home decore and so forth.
15- Bedouin rugs
If your luggage isn’t restricted then Bedouin rugs make beautiful souvenirs to adopt home. Woven in flat-weave on ground looms by women in Bedouin communities through the Western desert and Sinai these rugs are fantastic on the floor or on the wall. The striking primary color palette having a predominance of red and black make Bedouin rugs striking inclusions in any interior.
16- Bedouin shawls
Bedouin women are incredibly hard workers. Traditionally they do most of the work inside the tribe or perhaps the village . Their duties included taking care in the sheep, weaving tents, bringing water from the far-off water bores, women were also the original healers, as well as this in addition to taking care from the family and embroidering their beautiful dresses, amazing Bedouin scarves and rugs.
Traditionally women embroidered hand-woven fabrics manufactured from cotton or perhaps a combination of fibers to produce a ravishing Bedouin scarf or a stunning Bedouin dress.
17-Wood carving
The art of wood carving is definitely an art that started in ancient Egypt using simple tools. Ancient Egyptian art included amazing beautiful sculptures and 18 unique egyptian souvenirs tools produced from wood,
Egyptian images of woodworkers on temples indicate that they are using many useful tools that existed in millenia at a later date . Axes and saws were chosen to roughly shape the wood into blocks. Awls and bow drills were utilised to create holes and chisels and mallets were utilized for fine work.
18- Siwa oasis products
Located inside Egyptian Western desert close to the Libyan border. It continues to be isolated for a lot of many years and they are generally from Berber decent with unique embroidery style. They have great scarves and bridal gowns. Siwa oasis lavish items makes indeed an exceptional Egyptian gift.
