Going to visit this exotic and amazing country, many travelers are interested in the question of what to bring with Madagascar . The island is famous not only for handmade products, but also for a wide range of national clothes.
Food souvenirs from the island
Local people are mainly engaged in agriculture, they grow various fruit trees, spices, rice. The most popular products that tourists bring to their homeland are:
- vanilla - sold in bundles with bandaged ribbon;
- Tea and coffee - grown on local plantations;
- honey - has an unusual taste, because it is collected from exotic plants;
- rum and wine - are made according to secret traditional recipes;
- spices (anise, pepper, cinnamon, etc.) - they can be purchased as packed, and by weight. They are not inferior to the Indian and are sold in gift packs. Their price starts at $ 1.5.
Textile souvenirs of Madagascar
As a gift to women or colleagues, you can bring bright and luxurious rectangular cuts of fabrics. If they are properly wrapped around the body, you will get traditional clothes - a lamp. On the island, this outfit is carried with pleasure by men and women. Apparel can range from black and white to striped green, with geometric figures of unique shades of brown and red (such sold in the settlements of Sakalava). The material can be silk or cotton, shiny or matte. When purchasing a lamp, do not forget to take the illustrated instruction, which shows how to properly wrap the attire around the body.
To the national costume was complete, you need to buy pearly ornaments from the zebra horn to it. The robe is called "mulgas" and is traditionally presented to the second half. Also in Madagascar it is worth buying cotton products: shirts, scarves, tablecloths with different embroideries, etc. Their average price is about $ 7.
Cosmetic souvenirs
Local residents try to use natural natural means to care for the body. In cosmetics, aborigines use essential oils, herbs and clay, without the addition of dyes and other harmful components. The best such gift will be:
- Shampoos and conditioners based on medicinal herbs, for example, from a baobab tree;
- Handmade soap with aromatic additives;
- mask for the body of white clay, which has not only a sunscreen property, but also makes the skin radiant, smooth and smooth;
- balm with catafra, which removes fatigue;
- coconut oil, which has the property of softening and moisturizing the body and hair.
You can also buy a vetiver wreath, which perfectly fights with a moth, etc. All these funds are very affordable and cost about $ 2-4 per bottle.
Jewelery from Madagascar
Travelers who want to buy expensive souvenirs, you should pay attention to jewelry from gold, silver with a scattering of precious and semiprecious stones. The latter are often mined on the island, for example, emeralds, sapphires, topazes, various crystals, etc. Prices start from $ 35.
When buying such a product, it is necessary to take a certificate, which must be presented at the airport to take the jewelry home. True, the sellers are well aware of this, and give travelers such a document even on the market. Do not forget to indicate in the declaration all countries in which you will be in transit.
The most popular products are: bracelets, crosses and dishes. Particular attention should be paid to ammonites. These are shells of shellfish, which are filled with jasper, agate quartz, etc. Its price depends on the diameter: 20 cm will cost $ 15-20, and 70 cm - at $ 350.
What other souvenirs should you bring from Madagascar?
Local craftsmen do stunning things from wood. Particularly famous are products from the village of Zafimaniri ( Fianarantsoa province). They are made in the technique of marquetry, this art is passed from father to son. The most popular souvenirs are:
- chess boards and figures;
- dishes;
- figurines;
- figures of animals;
- masks;
- ethnic musical instruments;
- carved pictures;
- tables, chairs and other furniture;
- jewelry boxes;
- wicker baskets of palm fibers;
- lampshades for lamps.
Products are made from rosewood and rosewood. Due to the fact that some masters use rare plant species for souvenirs, you may be required to have a certificate at the airport. Do not forget to take the document in advance.
Other excellent and original gifts from Madagascar will be:
- Leather products, such as bags, sandals, wallets or belts. By the way, things made from a crocodile are cheaper to buy on the market than on a farm.
- Photos of lemurs and local landscapes, which are famous all over the world. Their price is about a dollar.
- Cutlery made of horn of zebu. It is worth remembering that you can not pour hot liquid in them so that the souvenir does not deteriorate. Their cost varies from 2 to 4 dollars.
- Dried exotic butterflies and flowers. They also require permission to leave, so buy these souvenirs only in specialized stores.
Features of shopping in Madagascar
The best place to make purchases on the island are the markets. The largest of them are located in the capital of the country . One of them occupies the second place in the world in its size - this is the Zuma market . By the way, in each village there are also small bazaars. Even if you do not plan to do shopping, you still should visit these colorful places. Here you can buy goods for every taste and purse, most importantly - do not forget that the weight of the baggage is limited.
State stores are open on weekdays from 08:00 am to 17:30 pm, and on Saturday the doors of the establishments are open until 1:00 pm. Most shops are closed on Sunday. Supermarkets accept buyers all week from 08:00 to 20:00. The siesta usually runs from 12:00 to 15:00 or from 13:00 to 16:00, but it is accepted mainly in the southern regions of Madagascar.
On the island, you need to bargain, because fixed prices are only in expensive stores. By the way, for foreigners, sellers rarely overstate the value of goods.
Madagascar is an "inexpensive" country, and its prices are rather low. If you want to purchase a special souvenir, then you better choose or order it right in the workshop. Carving in different establishments can differ, consider this fact before purchase. Sellers immediately pack their goods for transportation.
There are 2 currencies in the country at the same time: franc and ariar, which are accepted in all establishments.