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 have been visiting Egypt for thousands of years . Egypt is an excellent destination, with the amount of mesmerizing sights to check out and a lot of activities to perform.
You embark on any gift giving occasion or business trip to Egypt and you also arrive where you can your household bearing Egyptian gifts to ensure they are happy and find out the benefits within their eyes.
There are so many beautiful gifts in Cairo that one could certainly carry home. Egypt includes 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 location. Shopping in addition has largely been relocated to huge malls near or within these new communities. A trip towards the mall isn't likely to feature about the wish listing 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 this kind of rich and productive cultural heritage as Egypt. Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and European periods of influence and religious and ethnic diversity have left a legacy of fabulous artisans and craftsmen. This makes contemporary Egypt a paradise for shoppers. Unique Egyptian gifts to adopt home are a novelty and unique.
If you might be puzzled by what souvenirs to purchase to look at home, check our mini listing of 18 unique Egyptian present ideas that will 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 are dedicated to producing faithful reproductions of Pharaonic artifacts. Of these jewelry may be the most popular - being not simply beautiful and unusual but also extremely portable. While shopping in Egypt, many visitors choose a personalized Egyptian Cartouche which can be achieved to order in silver or gold. The Egyptian ankh necklace or ‘key of life’ is among the most recognizable Pharaonic symbol and another fashionable with shoppers as it's a well-loved amulet which spans cultures. There are many beautiful variations of Ankh jewelry one will discover to pick from.
Egyptian silver jewelry in general is great value. The level of craftsmanship is high as well as 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 but a majority of shops now stock some items in 925 to focus on international taste. Indeed silver jewelry is really a great Egyptian gift to spouse and children.
2- Cotton scarfs
If you prefer your textiles to become of carry-on size along with a smaller price then the handwoven cotton scarf could suit your purposes. Super soft Egyptian cotton scarfs are one of the top gifts you'll be able to carry back. Woven in Upper Egypt in a rainbow of colors and a wide choice of sizes a cotton scarf makes a great gift or a treat to self.
Egypt has a long history of weaving amazing cotton scarfs for several years. Upper Egypt is famous for hand-looming exquisite Egyptian cotton scarfs for women as well as for men designs that stand out. Specialty shops in Zamalek have some unique excellent Egyptian cotton scarfs goods that will impress the visitors.
3- Oriental rugs
Rugs weaving is probably the most ancient arts and crafts on the planet .The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in weaving textiles and amazing oriental rugs. Furthermore, Egypt location played a huge role in spreading weaving techniques of oriental rugs with other civilizations for hundreds of years.
A typical good demonstration of a fantastic handmade backpacks are the wonderful Oriental Rugs.
You have likely pointed out that they just don't come cheap. Handmade rugs cost a lot, 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 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 for the worship from the gods of Ancient Egypt and big quantities of incense were burned each day in temples throughout Egypt.
Shops that cell incense in Cairo are known as ( 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 egyptian gifts and souvenirs between your gods and the arena of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris the father of Horus and god with the dead, and handed down his sacred powers and position on 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 could 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 the generations and could 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 as 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 continues to be 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, within the Street in the Tent makers, the ancient craft of earning huge tent pavilions, beyond 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, bed coverings, and unique tents for a specifications. Such wonderful items can make a marvelouse unique Egyptian gifts
8- Printed cotton t shirts
No you ought 18 unique egyptian gifts 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 poor touristic areas. Shop at specialized shops.
9- Jewelry boxes inlaid with mother of pearl
A mother of pearl nuggets box is more than minor place to store your precious jewellery . For quite a while they are already loved blessing things, and they are already especially prized as treasure endowments also. We should investigate the historical backdrop in the jewelry box and furthermore consider its job being a treasure blessing. Some beautiful mother of pearl nuggets boxes happen to be handed down for generations. These treasured boxes are viewed as wonderful items not simply on account in the gems they contain put for that recollections they symbolize along with many case, for your excellent workmanship with the cases themselves.
10- Egyptian pottery
The Egyptian pottery production in ancient kemet (Egypt) would have been a powerful industry that created a number of goods that was able to resolve principle needs of ancient Egyptian culture. Appropriate containers for liquids and grains. Shapes of Egyptian pottery in olden days were diverse. The amphora pottery shape, that has been later on most common in every other ancient cultures, was one of the most practical and prevalent vase . It was made in every different sizes ; promising small to large to keep items from grain to water, beer and wine. Among the countless great Egyptian potters, Fayoum pottery received great propaganda on the list of rest due for the location and reputation Fayoum Oasis.
11- Akhmim textiles
Hand loomed Akhmim textiles are significantly recognized for that weaving and tapestry industries. Akhmim weaving has become the oldest industry in Ancient Egypt. Woven product from Akhmim textiles were made specifically for your royal palaces with the kings. also its reputation persisted towards the Ptolemaic generation. During Roman era Akhmim was popular by its magnificent silk products which are exported to many countries overseas.
12- Oriental sweets
Oriental sweets originated from a number of cultures as a result of civilizations that occupied the location, such as 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 during the month of Ramadan as a result of their nutritional benefits. Try Konafa with nuts or Basbousa ! It is irresistible .
13- Papyrus
Papyrus is a plant (cyperus papyrus) which once grew by the bucket load, primarily within the wilds in the Delta but in addition elsewhere in the Nile River Valley, but is currently quite rare. Papyrus buds opened from a horizontal root growing in shallow water as well as the deeply saturated Delta mud. Stalks reached around 16 feet in height (5 m) ending in small brown flowers which in turn bore fruit. These plants once were simply part in the natural vegetation of 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 in greatly reduced number.
The papyrus of Egypt is most closely related to writing - in reality, the English word 'paper' originates from the phrase 'papyrus' - but the Egyptians found many uses to the plant apart from a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus was applied as a meal source, to make rope, for sandals, for boxes and baskets and mats, as shutters, material for toys including dolls, as amulets to avert throat diseases, and even to create small fishing boats. At papyrus shops it will be possible to find a huge selection of unique Egyptian gifts.
14- Glass ornaments –mouth blown glass
Egyptians were one of the first to make use of glass within 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 egyptian souvenirs the mixture of silica-sand, lime and soda. There a multitude of unique glass ornaments you are able to buy for example 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 consider home. Woven in flat-weave on ground looms by women in Bedouin communities over the Western desert and Sinai these rugs are great on the floor or for the wall. The striking primary color palette with a predominance of red and black make Bedouin rugs striking inclusions in any interior.
16- Bedouin shawls
Bedouin women are extremely hard workers. Traditionally they are doing most from the work inside the tribe or the village . Their duties included taking care from the sheep, weaving tents, bringing water in the far-off water wells, women were also the standard healers, and all of this along with taking care from the family and embroidering their beautiful dresses, amazing Bedouin scarves and rugs.
Traditionally women embroidered hand-woven fabrics made of cotton or even a mixture of fibers to produce a ravishing Bedouin scarf or a stunning Bedouin dress.
17-Wood 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 created from wood,
Egyptian images of woodworkers on temples indicate they are using many useful tools that existed in thousands of years at a later date . Axes and saws were utilised to roughly shape the wood into blocks. Awls and bow drills were chosen to produce holes and chisels and mallets were utilised for fine work.
18- Siwa oasis products
Located in the Egyptian Western desert nearby the Libyan border. It may be isolated for many decades plus they are from Berber decent with unique embroidery style. They have great scarves and wedding gowns. Siwa oasis lavish items makes indeed an exceptional Egyptian gift.
