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 already visiting Egypt for hundreds of years . Egypt is an excellent destination, because of so many mesmerizing sights to go to 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 ensure they are happy and find out the benefits in their eyes.
There are so many beautiful gifts in Cairo that one could certainly carry home. Egypt features a great crafts and weaving industries which go back thousands of years ago.
The business and economy of Cairo is different dramatically during the last many 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 tend to escape town. 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 around the wish list 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 this can be still the very 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 remaining a legacy of fabulous artisans and craftsmen. This makes contemporary Egypt a paradise for shoppers. Unique Egyptian gifts to take home can be a novelty and unique.
If you are puzzled by what souvenirs to buy to take home, check our mini report on 18 unique Egyptian presents to help you decide !
1- Silver jewelry
Obviously the major attraction for tourists may be the legacy of Ancient Egypt and a lot of workshops, both large and small focus on producing faithful reproductions of Pharaonic artifacts. Of these jewelry could be 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 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 in general is great value. The level of craftsmanship is high as well as the choice is very wide, as well as Pharaonic designs the souks are filled with Bedouin, Coptic, fellahi ( country ), Islamic, Nubian and contemporary pieces. Traditionally, Egyptian silver jewelry is 800 silver however some shops now stock some products in 925 to cater to international taste. Indeed silver jewelry makes a great Egyptian gift to family members.
2- Cotton scarfs
If you want your textiles being of carry-on size as well as a smaller asking price then a handwoven cotton scarf could fit the bill. Super soft Egyptian cotton scarfs are one of the very best gifts it is possible to carry back. Woven in Upper Egypt in the rainbow of colors along with a wide range of sizes a cotton scarf is really a great gift or even a treat to self.
Egypt features a long reputation weaving amazing cotton scarfs for countless years. Upper Egypt is renowned for hand-looming exquisite Egyptian cotton scarfs for females and then for men designs that be noticeable. Specialty shops in Zamalek involve some unique good quality Egyptian cotton scarfs things that will impress the visitors.
3- Oriental rugs
Rugs weaving is amongst 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 a huge role in spreading weaving techniques of oriental rugs with other civilizations for years and years.
A typical good demonstration of a fantastic handmade backpacks are the wonderful Oriental Rugs.
You have in all probability realized that they cannot come cheap. Handmade rugs cost a lot, but there's a
good cause of this. Anything handmade may be valued at over it's machine-made counterpart.
4- Engraved brass interior decor
For centuries Egypt artisans have been creating amazing hand engraved brass and copper trays as well as other home decor items including brass lamps .
5- Incense
The burning of incense was central to the worship with 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 alongside Khan El Khalili bazaar.
6- Ancient Egyptian stone carved statues and symbols
Egyptians believed their kings (Pharaohs ) to be the mediator involving the gods and the whole world of men. After death the pharaoh became divine, identified with Osiris the father of Horus and god with the dead, and passed on his sacred powers and position Egyptian handicrafts 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 of 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 may be the Bastet - the wild cat goddess, defender of Lower Kemet ( Egypt ). Ancient Egyptians have always loved and safeguarded domesticated cats, keeping them of their homes for their farms' protectors from Rodents and Birds. A statue memorabilia of your favorite king or gods replicas can be bought easily in a few specialty shops
7- Tent makers ( Khayameya products )
Egyptian craft of tent making remains to be alive today. In Bab Zuwayla ( 10th Century) ,one of the oldest areas in Cairo - Khayameya St. or Charieh El Khayameya in Arabic .Khayyam means "tent" in Arabic. Here, within the Street with the Tent makers, the standard craft of making huge tent pavilions, from appliquéd cloth patterns has become sustained for centuries. In that area Nomad Gallery possesses his own
makers producing Cushion covers , Wall hangings, bedding, and unique tents to your 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 steer clear of the lower quality that you simply get in common poor touristic areas. Shop 18 unique egyptian souvenirs at specialized shops.
9- Jewelry boxes inlaid with mother of pearl
A mother of black pearls box is more than minor place to store your precious jewellery . For quite a while they happen to be loved blessing things, and they happen to be especially prized as treasure endowments also. We should investigate the historical backdrop with the jewelry box and moreover consider its job as being a treasure blessing. Some beautiful mother of black Egyptian handicrafts pearls boxes are actually handed down for generations. These treasured boxes are viewed as wonderful items not merely on account from the gems they contain put for the recollections that they symbolize along with many case, for the excellent workmanship in the cases themselves.
10- Egyptian pottery
The Egyptian pottery production in ancient kemet (Egypt) would have been a powerful industry that designed a various things that was 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, that has been afterwards most typical in all other ancient cultures, was the most practical and prevalent vase . It was made in all of the different sizes ; promising small to large to hold items from grain to water, beer and wine. Among the numerous great Egyptian potters, Fayoum pottery received great propaganda on the list of rest due to the location and good Fayoum Oasis.
11- Akhmim textiles
Hand loomed Akhmim textiles are significantly recognized for your weaving and tapestry industries. Akhmim weaving has become the oldest industry in Ancient Egypt. Woven product from Akhmim textiles were made specifically for the royal palaces in the kings. also its reputation persisted on the Ptolemaic generation. During Roman era Akhmim was well-known by its magnificent silk products which were exported to many countries overseas.
12- Oriental sweets
Oriental sweets originated from a variety of cultures due to civilizations that occupied the spot, such as the Ottomans and Mamluks. These oriental sweets have become unique within their taste and special ingredients are widely-used when they're made. They have become 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 can be a plant (cyperus papyrus) which once grew in abundance, primarily inside the wilds from the Delta but in addition elsewhere inside the Nile River Valley, but is quite rare. Papyrus buds opened from the horizontal root growing in shallow water and the deeply saturated Delta mud. Stalks reached as much as 16 ft . tall (5 m) ending in small brown flowers which frequently bore fruit. These plants used to be simply part from the natural vegetation with the region, but once people found a utilitarian purpose for them, these were cultivated and managed in farms, harvested heavily, in addition to their supply depleted. Papyrus still exists in Egypt today but also in greatly reduced number.
The papyrus of Egypt is most closely connected with writing - in fact, the English word 'paper' comes from the phrase 'papyrus' - though the Egyptians found many uses for that plant aside from a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus was adopted being a source of food, to create rope, for sandals, for boxes and baskets and mats, as shutters, material for toys like dolls, as amulets to ward off throat diseases, and also to make small fishing boats. At papyrus shops it will be possible to locate a plethora of unique Egyptian gifts.
14- Glass ornaments –mouth blown glass
Egyptians were among the first to utilize glass inside 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 a multitude of unique glass ornaments you'll be able to buy like 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 adopt home. Woven in flat-weave on ground looms by women in Bedouin communities through the Western desert and Sinai these rugs are wonderful about the floor or for the wall. The striking primary color palette using 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 inside the tribe or perhaps the village . Their duties included taking care in the sheep, weaving tents, bringing water through the far-off water wells, women were also the original healers, as well as this in addition to taking care in the family and embroidering their beautiful dresses, amazing Bedouin scarves and rugs.
Traditionally women embroidered hand-woven fabrics made of cotton or possibly a blend of fibers to make 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 are using many useful tools that existed in thousands of years afterwards . Axes and saws were used to roughly shape the wood into blocks. Awls and bow drills were used to make holes and chisels and mallets were utilized for fine work.
18- Siwa oasis products
Located inside Egyptian Western desert nearby the Libyan border. It continues to be isolated for many many years and they are from Berber decent with unique embroidery style. They have great scarves and bridal gowns. Siwa oasis lavish items makes indeed an exceptional Egyptian gift.
