After visiting a country as exotic to Europeans as the United Republic of Tanzania, any traveler will want to take home a souvenir to keep a “piece” of this fascinating African nation. What can you bring back from Zanzibar to share with your loved ones and create unique memories of your trip?
Each country has its own unique features that make it a memorable destination for travelers. These diverse experiences help tourists decide what to bring back from Tanzania as gifts for their families and friends. So, what should you consider when choosing a gift?
Spices are everyone’s favorite scents from Zanzibar
On the main island of the archipelago, which is Zanzibar, many plants are grown and later processed into spices:
- nutmeg;
- cardamom;
- vanilla;
- cinnamon;
- carnation;
- turmeric;
- black and white pepper;
- ginger;
- other exotic types of culinary seasonings.
There are many spice farms in the center of the island. If you go on a tour, you can see the shrubs and trees that produce the fragrant spices we use in our dishes. The finished products are sold directly at the farms. This is a great gift for gourmets and those who appreciate the exquisite flavors and aromas of their meals.
Due to the fact that the sale of spices is one of the main sources of Zanzibar’s budget today, it is easy for tourists to find points of sale. There are many shops and outdoor stalls that offer high-quality products to suit every taste.
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Coffee is the best gift for connoisseurs
The fruits of the Tanzanian coffee tree differ from those of the Vietnamese and other varieties. Therefore, the taste and aroma of the coffee itself also differ from those of other varieties. Only coffee enthusiasts will be able to appreciate the qualities of this coffee. What better gift can you give your coffee-loving friends than bringing them a new variety of coffee beans from Tanzania?
Arabica is grown in its pure form on the islands. Tanzanian ground coffee is sold everywhere. Markets and stores offer different options for packaging ground and whole beans. In the central market in Zanzibar’s Stone Town, you can find the lowest prices. 1 kilogram of coffee beans costs only 7-10 US dollars.
Fruit abundance
Zanzibar is a fruit paradise. And the king of all fruits is the durian. It can reach up to 30 cm in size and sometimes weigh more than 8 kg. The surface of the fruit is hard and covered with thorns. Inside, there are several chambers filled with tender and juicy flesh with a nutty and cheesy flavor. People who have never tried the fruit may have different opinions about its taste, but unlike its smell, everyone enjoys it. The aroma of the durian is often met with negative reactions.
According to the reviews of tourists who have tried mangoes in Zanzibar, the fruit has a different taste and aroma compared to the varieties grown in Asia.
Depending on the time of year you choose to travel to Tanzania, the following types of fruits will be available to you:
- bananas;
- lime and oranges;
- breadfruit;
- cream apples;
- coconuts;
- other types of strange fruits.
By choosing the right degree of freshness for any of the fruits you like, you can take them home as a gift for your family. All of the local fruits are inexpensive when purchased at small markets. However, in resort areas, prices can be three to four times higher. Regardless of where you buy exotic fruits, you can easily find something to bring back as a gift from Zanzibar. The new flavors will undoubtedly delight your loved ones.
Decorative items made of wood and stone
Decor items can serve as a souvenir brought from Tanzania. Here are produced original things of various sizes from mango, black, pink trees.
- Statuettes in the form of animals. The figurines are also made of stone by skilled craftsmen. Such items are suitable as gifts for colleagues or collectors.
- Masks for wall decoration.
- The panel.
- Tableware.
- Jewelry, rosary beads.
- Carved doors. Made to order. The waiting time for the finished product is approximately six months.
Souvenirs of Zanzibar are sold everywhere. Therefore, it is possible to look for the necessary options, save money. Local craftsmen often give the goods for sale. But if you find outlets where manufacturers offer their own products, then the price will be lower, without markup. From them you can order the production of the desired gift, to bring a unique souvenir to your friends.
Jewelry and souvenirs with blue diamonds
Only from Tanzania is it possible to bring an authentic piece of jewelry with this type of stone. The accumulation of the volcanic mineral tanzanite is located directly in Kilimanjaro. This is the only source of tanzanite in the world.
The country also produces the following on an industrial scale:
- sapphire and emerald;
- diamonds;
- rubies and garnet.
The most competent solution will be to buy tanzanite in specialized jewelry stores in Tanzania. This approach is necessary not only from the point of view of the safety of the acquisition and the originality of the product. It is worth remembering about the certificates-checks, which will serve as a supporting documentation when exporting a souvenir from the country, will become at the customs justification for the tourist, indicating the origin of the decoration.
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Paintings in the style of Eduardo Tingtinga
Tingatinga paintings are incredibly beautiful and unique souvenirs. Inspired by the famous Tanzanian artist, many paintings have been created that replicate his style.
Enamel paints are applied to muslin. As a rule, such paintings are colorful and depict animals, fish, birds, and human silhouettes. Sometimes, they depict biblical scenes. The second name for this style of painting comes from the traditional square shape of the paintings.
What else more positive can be brought from Zanzibar as a gift to people whom you want to please, to fill their lives with bright emotions and colors? These “juicy” paintings are suitable for transforming any room. Whether it is an office or a children’s room, a bedroom or a large meeting room – such a work of art will become an accent that attracts attention, evokes a smile and a positive mood.
National clothing
As a souvenir of their trip or as a gift, tourists often purchase products that reflect the culture, traditions, and way of life of the African people. Fabrics made in Tanzania are particularly popular. These are colorful cotton materials, sometimes with a touch of synthetic fibers.
You can bring home products made from them. There are unique options of traditional clothing available to everyone:
- elements of national costumes;
- kanga is a rectangular piece of cloth that is wrapped around the body (worn by women and sometimes by men);
- Kittenj is a type of shawl with a dense structure, and the pattern is created through weaving (by alternating threads of different colors).
- a kikoi is usually a striped piece of fabric with fringe and tassels;
- sundresses;
- skirts;
- modern T-shirts and T-shirts.
The most lively place for trading there is the Stone City.
Whatever you bring home from the textile, wearing this clothing is a pleasure. The color scheme will surely remind you of a warm and welcoming country, warming you with its colorful hues. Such a souvenir will surely be pleasant and unexpected for your loved ones.
Souvenirs in the form of sculptures
You can bring Makonde figurines as a gift to people you want to surprise. They vary in size, cost, and texture. Tanzania is the birthplace of these figurines. They are made from traditional African wood.
Main motives:
- the struggle between good and evil;
- love;
- life and death;
- human origin;
- faith;
- religious subjects;
- totems and images of various national deities.
If you haven’t yet decided on the most suitable option and don’t know what to bring back from Zanzibar, these figurines are a safe bet. They can only be found in this African country.
There is a large selection in the following cities: Dar es Salaam, touristic Arusha. The shops are open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays, they are open until noon. The most popular place to order or buy a job is the Mwenge Market.
According to an ancient legend of the Maconde people, their sculptures come to life. Modern statuettes are a modernist form of art designed for tourists and providing good profits to local artisans. The wood carving used in Maconde is characterized by precision and flexibility of lines, a special attitude of the masters to small details.
What can’t be exported from Tanzania
Without special documentation, it is not possible to export wild animal horns, gold, leather, and ivory products, as well as diamonds, from Zanzibar. At the airport and other tourist destinations in Tanzania, there are posters reminding visitors of the prohibition on purchasing poached goods.
You will not be able to bring home a number of prohibited goods from this country:
- drugs;
- toxic substances;
- explosives;
- wild plants;
- seashells and corals;
- pornographic materials on any type of media.
In addition, travelers cannot export cloves from Zanzibar without proper documentation confirming the legality of their purchase.
Based on your own priorities and intentions, it is easy to decide what to bring back from Zanzibar. Knowing the tastes and interests of your loved ones, you can definitely surprise them with unique souvenirs from Tanzania. The main consideration is the amount of money you have allocated for these purchases, as well as your desire to provide additional pleasure to those you care about.
