18 Unique Egyptian gifts and souvenirs to buy 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 hundreds of years . Egypt is a wonderful destination, because of so many mesmerizing sights to see and lots of activities to accomplish.
You embark on any gift giving occasion or business trip to Egypt so you arrive you will find your family bearing Egyptian gifts include them as happy and discover the happiness inside their eyes.
There a multitude of beautiful gifts in Cairo that you could certainly carry back 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 town. Shopping has additionally largely been relocated to huge malls near or within these new communities. A trip on the mall is not likely to feature on 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 can be 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're puzzled by what souvenirs to purchase to look at home, check our mini listing of 18 unique Egyptian gifts to help you decide !
1- Silver jewelry
Obviously the key attraction for tourists is the legacy of Ancient Egypt and lots of workshops, both large and small focus on producing faithful reproductions of Pharaonic artifacts. Of these jewelry will be the most popular - being not only beautiful and unusual but additionally extremely portable. While shopping in Egypt, many visitors decide on 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 popular with shoppers as it's a well-loved amulet which spans cultures. There are many beautiful variations of Ankh jewelry one can find to select from.
Egyptian silver jewelry generally speaking is fantastic value. The level of craftsmanship is high along with the choice is 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 however, many shops now stock some products in 925 to serve international taste. Indeed silver jewelry makes a great Egyptian gift to family members.
2- Cotton scarfs
If you want your textiles to become of carry-on size plus a smaller price tag then a handwoven cotton scarf could fit the bill. Super soft Egyptian cotton scarfs are one of the very best gifts you are able to carry back. Woven in Upper Egypt in the rainbow of colors as well as a wide choice of sizes a cotton scarf makes a great gift or perhaps a treat to self.
Egypt includes a long reputation weaving amazing cotton scarfs for quite some time. Upper Egypt is known for hand-looming exquisite Egyptian cotton scarfs for ladies and for men designs that stand out. Specialty shops in Zamalek have some unique high quality Egyptian cotton scarfs goods that will impress the visitors.
3- Oriental rugs
Rugs weaving is among 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 for hundreds of years.
A typical good illustration of an incredible handmade merchandise is the wonderful Oriental Rugs.
You have in all probability realized that they do not come cheap. Handmade rugs are costly, but 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 to the worship of 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 classified 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 become the mediator between the gods along with the realm of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris the daddy of Horus and god in the dead, and passed on his sacred powers and position for the new pharaoh, his son. The pharaoh’s divine status was portrayed in allegorical terms: his Handicrafts from Egypt uraeus (the snake on his crown) spat flames at his enemies; he surely could trample thousands of the enemy around the battlefield; and the man 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 such as Ramsis II impressive statues. A lovely and many interesting for your 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 in their homes his or her farms' protectors from Rodents and Birds. A statue memorabilia of one's favorite king or gods replicas can be acquired easily in certain specialty shops
7- 18 unique egyptian gifts Tent makers ( Khayameya products )
Egyptian craft of tent making remains alive today. In Bab Zuwayla ( 10th Century) ,one from 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 creating huge tent pavilions, away from appliquéd cloth patterns has become carried on for years and years. In that area Nomad Gallery possesses 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 one should miss a high quality Egyptian cotton t shirt with Egyptian theme. And do stay away from the lower quality that you just get in common inferior touristic areas. Shop at specialized shops.
9- Jewelry boxes inlaid with mother of pearl
A mother of pearl jewelry box is a lot more than minor location to store your precious jewellery . For quite a long time they happen to be loved blessing things, and they are actually especially prized as treasure endowments also. We should investigate the historical backdrop of the jewelry box and furthermore consider its job being a treasure blessing. Some beautiful mother of pearl nuggets boxes happen to be transferred for generations. These treasured boxes are viewed as wonderful items not just on account from the gems they contain put to the recollections they symbolize along with many case, to the excellent workmanship of the cases themselves.
10- Egyptian pottery
The Egyptian pottery production in ancient kemet (Egypt) was a powerful industry that designed a variety of goods that been able to resolve the basic 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 down the road most typical in all other ancient cultures, was essentially the most practical and prevalent vase . It was made in every different sizes ; promising 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 among the rest due on the location and reputation Fayoum Oasis.
11- Akhmim textiles
Hand loomed Akhmim textiles are significantly recognized for the weaving and tapestry industries. Akhmim weaving is probably the oldest industry in Ancient Egypt. Woven product from Akhmim textiles were made specifically to the royal palaces with the kings. also its reputation persisted towards the Ptolemaic generation. During Roman era Akhmim was recognized by its magnificent silk products which are exported to many countries overseas.
12- Oriental sweets
Oriental sweets originated from a variety of cultures due to civilizations that occupied the spot, for example the Ottomans and Mamluks. These oriental sweets have become unique inside their taste and special ingredients are used if they are made. They are extremely popular item on Egyptian dining tables especially in the month of Ramadan because 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 in abundance, primarily inside the wilds of the Delta but in addition elsewhere inside Nile River Valley, but has become quite rare. Papyrus buds opened from a horizontal root growing in shallow freshwater and the deeply saturated Delta mud. Stalks reached as much as 16 feet in height (5 m) ending in small brown flowers which in turn bore fruit. These plants once were simply part with the natural vegetation in the region, but once people found a utilitarian purpose for them, these folks were cultivated and managed in farms, harvested heavily, along with their supply depleted. Papyrus still exists in Egypt today but in reduced number.
The papyrus of Egypt is most closely linked to writing - in fact, the English word 'paper' originates from the phrase 'papyrus' - though the Egyptians found many uses for the plant other than a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus was adopted being a meal source, to produce rope, for sandals, for boxes and baskets and mats, as blinds, material for toys like dolls, as amulets to ward off throat diseases, as well as to create 18 unique egyptian souvenirs small fishing boats. At papyrus shops it is possible to discover a variety of unique Egyptian gifts.
14- Glass ornaments –mouth blown glass
Egyptians were one of many first to work with glass of 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 coming from a mixture of silica-sand, lime and soda. There a large number of unique glass ornaments you'll be able to buy like Christmas balls, perfume bottles, home decore and the like.
15- Bedouin rugs
If your luggage isn’t restricted then Bedouin rugs make beautiful souvenirs to look at home. Woven in flat-weave on ground looms by women in Bedouin communities throughout the Western desert and Sinai these rugs are excellent about the floor or about the wall. The striking primary color palette using 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 even the village . Their duties included taking care in the sheep, weaving tents, bringing water through the far-off water bores, women were also the standard healers, and every one 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 from cotton or possibly a mix of fibers to make a ravishing Bedouin scarf or perhaps 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 tools made out of wood,
Egyptian images of woodworkers on temples indicate which they are using many useful tools that existed in 1000's of years at a later date . Axes and saws were chosen to roughly shape the wood into blocks. Awls and bow drills were utilised to generate holes and chisels and mallets were utilised for fine work.
18- Siwa oasis products
Located inside Egyptian Western desert nearby the Libyan border. It has been isolated for several a long time 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.
