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Outside
of the official, quality and price, controlled Artisanat
(handicraft) shops, where everything from carpets to birdcages
bears a price tag, and carpets a stamp of origin and caliber,
shopping in Tunisia is definitely an art. Located in the old
city (the Medina), the Souks offer a selection of objects of
unsurpassed beauty and distinction , excellent arts and craft
and traditional work. A sharp eye, nerves of steel, a show of
disinterest and a good sense of humor will make shopping a
real pleasure. |
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Inflated
prices give both parties the pleasure of bargaining and a golden
opportunity to exhibit your talent as an actor. Start by cutting the
offer in half, then work up to a compromise if you are really
interested. The choice is yours:
Handcarved
olive wood: Salad bowls, kitchen articles, vases, lamps,
bracelets...beautiful , solid wood , each is distinctively
different. This hard and durable wood needs only an occasional
slight rubbing with oil to bring out the richness of its patterns. A
natural gift from this Mediterranean land.
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Authentic Berber
bracelets and necklaces can still be found in the souks.
Bracelets are inclined to be heavy - some ornate some
exquisitely modern in their primitive designs. The price is
usually by weight depending on the silver content and the
workmanship. Necklaces are often restrung with the original
silver pieces and glass beads, coins or coral, the latter
adding to the price. A reputable shop will show you the silver
stamp , although on very old pieces this has sometimes been
worn away. Copies of original jewelry are more plentiful and
often just as beautiful, lighter weight and easier to
wear.
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The
fish, hands of Fatma , triangles, arches and other designs are
charms to ward off the evil eye or insure fertility. The same
symbols are often woven into carpets. Many fine books on Tunisia
explain in detail the ancient significance of these signs.
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While
Nabeul (Cap Bon) offers a dizzying selection of pottery and
ceramics, many of these creations can be found in the souks.
Ceramic tiles, platters, and bowls are displayed in every
color, hue and design. A careful look will ensure that the
hand painting is well done and the piece intact. The use and
the region dictate the colors as the yellow/green of Jerba,
the earth tones and primitive designs of Sedjane, and the
popular blue and white of Nabeul. |
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Guellela
(Jerba) holds the prize for the lovely natural color of its clay
used to create more "practical" pottery, oil and water
jars, bowls and jugs in classical Mediterranean style.
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Embossed,
engraved or chased, copper and brass trays, coffeepots, vases
and ashtrays are found throughout. The intricacy of the
calligraphy and design on the trays set the price, as well as
the weight and the size. Ashtrays that can be engraved on the
spot with your name in Arabic are a popular, inexpensive
souvenir. Both traditional and modern designs are used by the
smiths, the choice is yours. The artisanat shops feature items
from large fruit bowls to small ash trays of enameled red
copper in a beautiful variety of colors and hues. |
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Hats,
pocketbooks, carryalls and hassocks are popular items, in
particular the hassocks in natural leather embossed or painted
with traditional patterns or the ever popular camel. Book
covers are beautifully decorated with gilt and the skill of
the traditional leatherworker has in part been reconverted
into making quality leather jackets and coats.
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Whether
you prefer natural wool or camel hair alloucha of Kairouan,
brightly colored klim , margoums, or elegant silk, award
Tunisia's carpets the prize for quality and price. The
selections in every category are infinite and rare is the
visitor who can resist such marvels at such reasonable rates.
Most carpets are classified by the number of knots per square
meter with silk at the top of the list with 250,000 and over!
Shopowners will unroll one splendor after another until you
find YOUR carpet. |
The
Offices of the artisanat in most cities sell only quality stamped
and inspected carpets and while there is no bargaining, prices are
reasonable and they can package and send your carpet by plane.
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Embroidered
or plain , natural shades or intricately patterned, the same
skill and art that is used in carpet making is used in the
hand weaving of these articles. Pure undyed wool blankets are
greatly appreciated in this day of synthetics and fine shawls
embroidered with traditional designs make unusual and colorful
wall hangings. The colorful ,figurative carpets of Gafsa are
often hung on walls of banks, offices and homes and offer a
great variety in size and price and color. |
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While
it is possible to unearth a real treasure at the souks in many
towns, certified antiques can be purchased at only a few
stores in Tunisia. There are fine imitations of ancient coins,
stone lamps and statueson sale in many stores and in the
museum gift. Browsing through the shops in the souk you will
find coins, statues, fossils, authentic traditional women's
costumes, art deco, bric a brac, and old versus antique
pottery, furniture and art work.
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The
souk is also a treasure chest of inexpensive and interesting
items for collections, ornaments and fun. You can find
inexpensive, sequined and gilded harem outfits, jebbas and
embroidered vests, scorpions, fossils, seashells, African
beads, minerals- the rose of the sands, slippers with turned
up toes and Bedouin scarves and headbands, Tunisian stamps,
which are truly beautiful (collectors ,visit at the Post
Office Museum in Tunis), tiny pottery tea sets, little |
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pill
boxes - some in silver, oil lamps, flutes, Tunisian
"bagpipes", exquisite perfume bottles, tamborines,
essences of perfume, incense, and on and on. Something for everyone
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A
collection of traditionally dressed dolls may be found at the
official Office of the artisanat shops. Well made and
authentic replicas of the costumes and dress of Tunisian women
make these dolls wonderful gifts and souvenirs.
"Sidi
Bou Said" birdcages in white or olive wood are world
famous and can be used as planters, for decoration and .....
for birds. Check the workmanship as this, as well as the size
influences the price. |
Market's
days
Besides
shopping in the souks of the medinas of Tunisia's cities , the
weekly market in most country towns and villages offers an
astounding variety of products and miscellaneous items along with
the fun of sharing in the hustle and bustle of this weekly "
event". Country market days are considered a perfect occasion
to sell your prize goat.... interested ? plastic bottles, Berber
jewelry, wooden kitchen utensils, souvenirs, just about anything
that can be traded, sold or bartered.
Villagers
arrive at dawn to jostle for a choice place to display their
wares
and the market is usually over by noon. The country market is a
truly enjoyable experience that should not be missed. Below is a
short list of the market days for various towns. Your hotel can also
inform you of the day and place, usually the main square.
Monday:
Ain Draham, Houmt Souk (Djerba) Kairouan, Maktar, Tataouine
Miscellaneous items
Tuesday:
Béja, Kasserine, Sedouikech (Djerba) Miscellaneous items
Wednesday:
Adjum (Djerba) Jendouba, Sbeitla, Nefta. Nefta's market is famous
among those of the oasis region
Thursday:
Gafsa, Hammamet, Houmt Souk (Djerba) Siliana and Douz. There is a
camel market in Douz
Friday:
Djemmel, Mateur, Midoun (Djerba) Sfax, Tabarka, Zarzis, Monastir,
Nabeul. Djemmal-camels, Nabeul - livestock, fruits, souvenirs and
spices
Saturday:
Monastir, Ben Gardane, El Mai (Djerba). Monastir- carpets and rugs
which are government stamped upon purchase
Sunday:
El Jem, Korba, Ksar Hellal, Enfidha and Sfax. Miscellaneous items
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