African Curios- African Souvenirs

Author: Wilson Maina

There are many local African artists from various countries ranging from Congo, Kenya, Ivory Cost, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Swaziland who do craft work. Products found at Maasai Gift Shop are normally sourced from these artists.

Most visitors to Africa and especially to Kenya go home with souvenirs from the Maasai community – from the smallest jewelary to the tallest wooden giraffe. The Maasai are renowned for their fine craftsmanship and souvenirs. All these products are available in most shop and markets in almost all major towns.

Remember that while it’s easy enough to store these items on an overland truck, at some point you will have to fit all your souvenirs into your backpack – and be able to carry it! Souvenir specialties include:

Kenya – In Kenya you will find the following products:

• Masai beads
• Maasai blankets
• Batiks
• Wooden giraffes (Nairobi city market)
• kikois and Kangas – both male and female version of the sarong (Nairobi shops)
• Baskets
• Necklaces
• Beaded Animals
• Beaded Bangles
• Beaded Huts
• Bowls
• Bracelets
• Chokers
• Key Rings
• Telephone Wire Animals and Telephone Wire Bowls
• African Crafts
• African Masks
• Copper Bangles
• Door Stopper
• Hair Accessories
• Kitchen Utensils
• Letter Openers
• Napkin Rings
• Wooden Animals

All these products have been acquired from small communities and villages where the making and selling of their traditional crafts has provided the craftsmen with sustainable income. This has also enabled these communities to pass on their traditional heritage, culture and tradition to other generations so that they are not lost as Africa undergoes Westernization.

An online shop was established mainly to provide a market place for local artists and craftsmen in Africa to sell their products to the outside world thus providing themselves with sustainable income and for their families.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/african-curios-african-souvenirs-1011119.html

About the Author

Wilson owns Maasai Curio Shop, one of Kenyas’s largest online souvenirs and curios stores. Our mission is to provide stunning and classic crafts that are unique! We stock a range of eye catching pieces from wooden carvings, maasai blankets, beaded bangles and belts,napkin rings, bracelets, necklaces and other products from the African Culture – our extensive range has something for everyone! Visit my website at http://www.maasaigiftshop.com