What gifts and souvenirs could you get from Morocco ?
As soon as you start wandering around Morocco, you will think about souvenirs, you want to buy, for yourself and you dear ones. Believe it or not, you will find gifts of all choices. here are some tips that can help you.
Handmade pottery clay
Wherever you go in the country, you will find many shops, selling pottery items. Moroccan people still use them today: they prepare their food in tagines, putting them on clay charcoal braziers. They also think that a real Moroccan couscous can only be served in a clay dish.
You will find ashtrays, tagines, salad bowls, salt shakers, etc. They will be available in all sizes, but the smaller ones are the most practical and often more affordable.
When you are looking for the best pottery, as far as the quality is concerned, Safi is the right city for you.
Clothes, hairstyles and traditional oriental slippers
Moroccan clothes are original and distinguished. Sellers usually prefer to wear traditional outfits. You will be offered djellabas, sarouals, tunics of different cuts and fabrics, embroidered or without patterns. You will see the difference in style, between one region and another. The gandouras would be a better choice: they are elegant, comfortable, and practical to put on, they can be made for men, as well as for women. All you have to do, is choose the right color.
Do not forget to take the traditional Moroccan slippers that go with the clothes. You can always use them as slippers at home. Moroccan traditional slippers are made entirely of leather. The ones with plastic soles are not recommended.
As for the hairstyles, only Moroccan men put traditional crochet hats. Women, in general, are not known for wearing them, except in the north part of the country, where hats with a peculiar shape, called Taraza, are worn.
Leather
In Morocco, leather crafting techniques have not changed for years. Ancient tanneries are found in the cities of Fez and Marrakech, but their products, such as sandals, bags and leather clothes are exhibited all over the country. Their prices depend on the quality of raw material. It would be more profitable to buy from workshops or shops that sell only leather, since you will always be able to ask for a discount.
Silver jewellery
Silver jewellery remains a good choice, for a gift. It is beautiful, and always trendy. It is also easy to carry and does not get lost between luggage.
You should always make sure if the ring, necklace, earrings or any other product you want to buy, are made of authentic silver. Ask for the right person and the right material, if you are looking for an original local item.
Moroccans, especially Berbers, highly acknowledge the beauty of silver jewellery, that women are proudly wearing them on special occasions.
Metalworking
There are shops and workshops, specializing in the Moroccan craft lantern. Large or small, make your choice, taking into consideration your transport devices. It is a very nice object of decoration. The prices depend on the metal and the size of the lamp.
In Fez, you will come across craftsmen, hammering engravings on copper or silver metal, and creating beautiful trays, teapots and cups, that are usually used for decoration. When you try to buy items in the shops, be careful that they are handmade, and not worked by machine. These can be less expensive, but not necessarily of very good quality.
Take all your time to check the quality, the fineness of the work, and above all, the source of the product, in order not to pay an item that is “made in china”. Always ask the seller to properly pack what you would buy from him. most of the time, they do it well, but insisting on the matter will do no harm.
Negotiate well before accepting the deal, and never stop at the first or second price they are offering you, but rather when you think it is fair.
