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 decor
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 are actually visiting Egypt for centuries . Egypt is a marvellous destination, with so many mesmerizing sights to visit and several activities to accomplish.
You embark on a holiday or business trip to Egypt so you arrive you will find all your family members bearing Egyptian gifts include them as happy to see the benefits within their eyes.
There a multitude of beautiful gifts in Cairo that you can certainly carry back home. Egypt carries a great crafts and weaving industries which are back 1000's of years ago.
The business and economy of Cairo has changed dramatically within the last 15 years. Where both business and cultural life had been concentrated in Downtown Cairo and it’s environs, it is now dispersed in outlying satellite cities and suburbs as people decide to escape the location. Shopping in addition has largely been relocated to huge malls near or within these new communities. A trip to the mall isn't likely to feature about the wish list of any tourist visiting Cairo wanting authentic Egyptian souvenirs, gifts, or collectibles . A far more likely desire should be to rummage in specialty authentic shops. Despite Cairo’s changing geography this really is still the best possibility and will reap great rewards. Few places in the world 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 really are a novelty and unique.
If you happen to be unclear about what souvenirs to acquire to consider home, check our mini list of 18 unique Egyptian gifts that will help you decide !
1- Silver jewelry
Obviously the major attraction for tourists will be the legacy of Ancient Egypt and many workshops, both small and big specialize in producing faithful reproductions of Pharaonic artifacts. Of these jewelry is the most popular - being not merely beautiful and unusual and also extremely portable. While shopping in Egypt, many visitors opt for 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 one will discover from which to choose.
Egyptian silver jewelry in general is fantastic value. The level of craftsmanship is high and also the options are 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 however, many shops now stock some items in 925 to serve international taste. Indeed silver jewelry makes a great Egyptian gift to household.
2- Cotton scarfs
If that suits you your textiles to become of carry-on size plus a smaller price tag a handwoven cotton scarf could suit you perfectly. Super soft Egyptian cotton scarfs are one of the best gifts you are able to carry back. Woven in Upper Egypt in the rainbow of colors plus a wide range of sizes a cotton scarf constitutes a great gift or even a treat to self.
Egypt carries a long good weaving amazing cotton scarfs for many years. Upper Egypt is famous for hand-looming exquisite Egyptian cotton scarfs for ladies as well as for men designs that stick out. Specialty shops in Zamalek possess some unique high quality Egyptian cotton scarfs items which will impress the visitors.
3- Oriental rugs
Rugs weaving is one of the most ancient arts and crafts of the world .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 merchandise is the wonderful Oriental Rugs.
You have in all probability realized that they do not come cheap. Handmade rugs can be very expensive, however, there is a
good cause for this. Anything handmade will probably be worth over it's machine-made counterpart.
4- Engraved brass home decor
For centuries Egypt artisans are actually 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 for the worship from the gods of Ancient Egypt and large quantities of incense were burned daily in temples throughout Egypt.
Shops that cell incense in Cairo are classified as ( El Attar ) They are located next to Khan El Khalili bazaar.
6- Ancient Egyptian stone carved statues and symbols
Egyptians believed their kings (Pharaohs ) to get the mediator relating to the gods as well as the world of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris the dad of Horus and god from the dead, and offered 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 in 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 most specialty shops
7- Tent makers ( Khayameya products )
Egyptian craft of tent making continues to be alive today. In Bab Zuwayla ( 10th Century) ,one with 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 developing huge tent pavilions, out of appliquéd cloth patterns may be sustained for hundreds of years. In that area Nomad Gallery possesses 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 high quality Egyptian cotton t shirt with Egyptian theme. And do steer clear of the lower quality that you 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 much more than minor destination to store your precious jewellery . For quite a while they are already loved blessing things, and they are actually 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 pearl nuggets boxes have been passed on for generations. These treasured boxes are viewed as wonderful items not only on account from the gems they contain put for that recollections which they symbolize plus many case, to the excellent workmanship of the cases themselves.
10- Egyptian pottery
The Egyptian pottery production egyptian souvenirs in ancient kemet (Egypt) was a powerful industry that developed a various goods that been able to resolve principle needs of ancient Egyptian culture. Appropriate containers for liquids and grains. Shapes of Egyptian pottery in middle ages times were diverse. The amphora pottery shape, which has been at a later date most popular in all of the other ancient cultures, was the most practical and prevalent vase . It was made in all different sizes ; small to large to hold items from grain to water, beer and wine. Among the hundreds of great Egyptian potters, Fayoum pottery received great propaganda one of many rest due on the location and reputation Fayoum Oasis.
11- Akhmim textiles
Hand loomed Akhmim textiles are significantly recognized for your weaving and tapestry industries. Akhmim weaving is just about the oldest industry in Ancient Egypt. Woven product from Akhmim textiles were made specifically for that royal palaces of the kings. also its reputation persisted to the Ptolemaic generation. During Roman era Akhmim was recognized by its magnificent silk products which are exported to a lot of countries overseas.
12- Oriental sweets
Oriental sweets originate from numerous cultures because of civilizations that occupied the region, like the Ottomans and Mamluks. These oriental sweets are incredibly unique within their taste and special ingredients are used if they're made. They are incredibly popular item on Egyptian dining tables especially throughout the month of Ramadan due to their nutritional benefits. Try Konafa with nuts or Basbousa ! It is irresistible .
13- Papyrus
Papyrus is often a plant (cyperus papyrus) which once grew by the bucket load, primarily within the wilds in the Delta but additionally elsewhere in the Nile River Valley, but is quite rare. Papyrus buds opened from the horizontal root growing in shallow water and also the deeply saturated Delta mud. Stalks reached up to 16 ft . tall (5 m) ending in small brown flowers which often bore fruit. These plants used to be simply part of the natural vegetation with the region, but once people found a utilitarian purpose for them, these folks were cultivated and managed in farms, traditional souvenirs to buy in egypt harvested heavily, as well as egyptian souvenirs their supply depleted. Papyrus still exists in Egypt today but also in greatly reduced number.
The papyrus of Egypt is most closely linked to writing - in fact, the English word 'paper' arises 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 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 reduce the chances of throat diseases, and in many cases to create small fishing boats. At papyrus shops you'll be able to identify a huge selection of unique Egyptian gifts.
14- Glass ornaments –mouth blown glass
Egyptians were on the list of first to utilize glass in their art and culture. As far back as 2500 BC, amulets and solid glass beads were produced in Mesopotamia. About 1000 years later, the Egyptians also began making glass. Glass is produced from your mixture of silica-sand, lime and soda. There so many unique glass ornaments you'll be able to buy such as Christmas 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 over the Western desert and Sinai these rugs are wonderful around the floor or about the wall. The striking primary color palette having a predominance of red and black make Bedouin rugs striking addendums to any interior.
16- Bedouin shawls
Bedouin women have become hard workers. Traditionally they do most of the work within 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 standard healers, causing all of this together with taking care in the family and embroidering their beautiful dresses, amazing Bedouin scarves and rugs.
Traditionally women embroidered hand-woven fabrics created from cotton or a mix of fibers to generate a ravishing Bedouin scarf or possibly a stunning Bedouin dress.
17-Wood carving
The art of wood carving is an art that started in ancient Egypt using simple tools. Ancient Egyptian art included amazing beautiful sculptures and tools made from wood,
Egyptian images of woodworkers on temples indicate that they can are using many useful tools that existed in millenia later on . Axes and saws were utilized to roughly shape the wood into blocks. Awls and bow drills were utilized to produce holes and chisels and mallets were chosen for fine work.
18- Siwa oasis products
Located within the Egyptian Western desert near the Libyan border. It continues to be isolated for several several years plus they are from Berber decent with unique embroidery style. They have great scarves and bridal dresses. Siwa oasis lavish items makes indeed a unique Egyptian gift.
