18 Unique Egyptian gifts and souvenirs to acquire 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 have been visiting Egypt for centuries . Egypt is a marvellous destination, with so many mesmerizing sights to visit and several activities to complete.
You continue a vacation or business trip to Egypt and also you arrive the place to find your loved ones bearing Egyptian gifts to be happy and find out the benefits within their eyes.
There a multitude of beautiful gifts in Cairo that you could certainly carry home. Egypt has a great crafts and weaving industries that go back thousands of years ago.
The business and economy of Cairo has evolved dramatically over the last many years. Where both business and cultural life was previously concentrated in Downtown Cairo and it’s environs, now it is dispersed in outlying satellite cities and suburbs as people tend to escape the town. 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 for the wish set of any tourist visiting Cairo wanting authentic Egyptian souvenirs, gifts, or collectibles . A far more likely desire would be to rummage in specialty authentic shops. Despite Cairo’s changing geography that is still the very best possibility which enable it to reap great rewards. Few places on the planet have a real rich and productive cultural heritage as Egypt. Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and European periods of influence and religious and ethnic diversity have remaining a legacy of fabulous artisans and craftsmen. This makes contemporary Egypt a paradise for shoppers. Unique Egyptian gifts to look at home certainly are a novelty and unique.
If you are puzzled by what souvenirs to buy to adopt home, check our mini list of 18 unique Egyptian gifts that may help you decide !
1- Silver jewelry
Obviously the main attraction for tourists will be the legacy of Ancient Egypt and many workshops, both small and big concentrate on producing faithful reproductions of Pharaonic artifacts. Of these jewelry is the most popular - being not just beautiful and unusual and also extremely portable. While shopping in Egypt, many visitors opt for a personalized Egyptian Cartouche which can be produced 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 from which to choose.
Egyptian silver jewelry in general is great value. The level of craftsmanship is high along with the choices very wide, as well as Pharaonic designs the souks are brimming with Bedouin, Coptic, fellahi ( country ), Islamic, Nubian and contemporary pieces. Traditionally, Egyptian silver jewelry is 800 silver but a majority of shops now stock some components of 925 to focus on international taste. Indeed silver jewelry makes a great Egyptian gift to loved ones.
2- Cotton scarfs
If you want your textiles to become of carry-on size and a smaller asking price then the handwoven cotton scarf could suit you perfectly. Super soft Egyptian cotton scarfs are one of the very best gifts you are able to carry back. Woven in Upper Egypt in a rainbow of colors as well as a wide range of sizes a cotton scarf constitutes a great gift or a treat to self.
Egypt carries a long reputation weaving amazing cotton scarfs for quite some time. Upper Egypt is known for hand-looming exquisite Egyptian cotton scarfs for women as well as men designs that be noticeable. Specialty shops in Zamalek have some unique excellent Egyptian cotton scarfs things that will impress the visitors.
3- Oriental rugs
Rugs weaving is among the most ancient arts and crafts worldwide .The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in weaving textiles and amazing oriental rugs. Furthermore, Egypt location played a crucial role in spreading weaving techniques of oriental rugs with other civilizations for hundreds of years.
A typical good instance of a fantastic handmade merchandise is the wonderful Oriental Rugs.
You likely have remarked that they don't come cheap. Handmade rugs cost a lot, however, there is a
good cause of this. Anything handmade will probably be worth over it's machine-made counterpart.
4- Engraved brass home decor
For centuries Egypt artisans are already creating amazing hand engraved brass and copper trays as well as other interior decor items such as brass lamps .
5- Incense
The burning of incense was central on the worship with the gods of Ancient Egypt and enormous quantities of incense were burned every single day in temples throughout Egypt.
Shops that cell incense in Cairo are called ( El Attar ) They are located alongside Khan El Khalili bazaar.
6- Ancient Egyptian stone carved statues and symbols
Egyptians believed their kings (Pharaohs ) being the mediator between your gods as well as the world of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris the dad of Horus and god in the dead, and passed on his sacred powers and position towards 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 surely could trample thousands from the enemy for the battlefield; and he 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 may be the Bastet - the wild cat goddess, defender of Lower Kemet ( Egypt ). Ancient Egyptians have always loved and safeguarded domesticated cats, keeping them inside their homes for their farms' protectors from Rodents and Birds. A statue memorabilia of one's favorite king or gods replicas can be purchased easily in certain specialty shops
7- Tent makers ( Khayameya products )
Egyptian craft of tent making remains alive today. In Bab Zuwayla ( 10th Century) ,one in the oldest areas in Cairo - Khayameya St. or Charieh El Khayameya in Arabic .Khayyam means "tent" in Arabic. Here, in the Street from the Tent makers, the traditional craft of earning huge tent pavilions, away from appliquéd cloth patterns has become sustained for hundreds of years. In that area Nomad Gallery features its own
makers producing Cushion covers , Wall hangings, bed covers, and unique tents for your specifications. Such wonderful items can create a marvelouse unique Egyptian gifts
8- Printed cotton t shirts
No you need to miss a good quality Egyptian cotton t shirt with Egyptian theme. And do stay away from the lower quality that you find in common low quality touristic areas. Shop at specialized shops.
9- Jewelry boxes inlaid with mother of pearl
A mother of pearl jewelry box is much more than minor spot to store your precious jewellery . For quite a while they are already loved blessing things, and they happen to be especially prized as treasure endowments also. We should investigate the historical backdrop from the jewelry box and in addition consider its job like a treasure blessing. Some beautiful mother of black pearls boxes happen to be passed on for generations. These treasured boxes are viewed as wonderful items not just on account of the gems they contain put for the recollections that they symbolize and in many case, to the excellent workmanship with the cases themselves.
10- Egyptian pottery
The Egyptian pottery production in ancient kemet (Egypt) was obviously a powerful industry that developed a number of items that managed to resolve the fundamental needs of ancient Egyptian culture. Appropriate containers for liquids and grains. Shapes of Egyptian pottery in ancient times were diverse. The amphora pottery shape, which has been down the road most typical in all other ancient cultures, was essentially the most practical and prevalent vase . It was made in most different sizes ; small to large to support 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 on the location and reputation Fayoum Oasis.
11- Akhmim textiles
Hand loomed Akhmim textiles are significantly recognized for that weaving and tapestry industries. Akhmim weaving is probably 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 that have been exported to many people countries overseas.
12- Oriental sweets
Oriental sweets result from many different cultures as a result of civilizations that occupied the area, for example the Ottomans and Mamluks. These oriental sweets are very unique inside their taste and special ingredients are used if they are made. They are very popular item on Egyptian dining tables especially through the month of Ramadan due to their nutritional benefits. Try Konafa with nuts or Basbousa ! It is irresistible .
13- Papyrus
Papyrus can be a plant (cyperus papyrus) which once grew in abundance, primarily within the wilds in the Delta but additionally elsewhere inside the Nile River Valley, but is quite rare. Papyrus buds opened from your horizontal root growing in shallow water and also the deeply saturated Delta mud. Stalks handmade egyptian products reached around 16 feet in height (5 m) ending in small brown flowers which often bore fruit. These plants were in the past simply part of the natural vegetation of the region, but once people found a utilitarian purpose for the kids, we were holding cultivated and managed in farms, harvested heavily, and their supply depleted. Papyrus still exists in Egypt today in cut down tremendously number.
The papyrus of Egypt is most closely associated with writing - actually, the English word 'paper' arises from the word 'papyrus' - however the Egyptians found many uses for your plant besides a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus was applied as a food source, to create rope, for sandals, for boxes and baskets and mats, as shutters, material for toys for example dolls, as amulets to reduce the chances of throat diseases, and also to generate small fishing boats. At papyrus shops you will be able to find a huge selection of unique Egyptian gifts.
14- Glass ornaments –mouth blown glass
Egyptians were among the first to use glass in their art and culture. As far back as 2500 BC, amulets and solid glass beads were made 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 are so many unique glass ornaments you can buy such as Christmas 18 unique egyptian gifts balls, perfume bottles, home decore and so on.
15- Bedouin rugs
If your luggage isn’t restricted then Bedouin rugs make beautiful souvenirs to take home. Woven in flat-weave on ground looms by women in Bedouin communities across the Western desert and Sinai these rugs are fantastic for the floor or about the wall. The striking primary color palette having a predominance of red and black make Bedouin rugs striking additions to any interior.
16- Bedouin shawls
Bedouin women are very hard workers. Traditionally they certainly most with the work inside the tribe or the village . Their duties included taking care of the sheep, weaving tents, bringing water from the far-off water wells, women were also the regular healers, causing all of this along with taking care of the family and embroidering their beautiful dresses, amazing Bedouin scarves and rugs.
Traditionally women embroidered hand-woven fabrics made of cotton or possibly a mix of fibers to make a ravishing Bedouin scarf or perhaps a stunning Bedouin dress.
17-Wood Handicrafts from Egypt carving
The art of wood carving is an art that entered ancient Egypt using simple tools. Ancient Egyptian art included amazing beautiful sculptures and tools produced from wood,
Egyptian images of woodworkers on temples indicate that they are using many useful tools that existed in millenia afterwards . Axes and saws were used to roughly shape the wood into blocks. Awls and bow drills were chosen to create holes and chisels and mallets were utilized for fine work.
18- Siwa oasis products
Located within the Egyptian Western desert close to the Libyan border. It has become isolated for a lot of decades and they're from Berber decent with unique embroidery style. They have great scarves and wedding dresses. Siwa oasis lavish items makes indeed an exceptional Egyptian gift.
