Unique Souvenirs To Take Home From Your Rwandan Safari

Rwanda has many souvenirs to offer to the enthusiastic shopper. Souvenirs such as art and crafts are usually the best souvenirs to carry home with you. Here are some of unique things you can take home from your Rwanda safari:

BASKET

Historically, weaving was passed down from mother to daughter, generation to generation, as a rite of passage marking the transition into womanhood and symbolizing a mother’s care for her children and her country. However, after the 1994 genocide, this age-old tradition took on a new and powerful meaning in Rwanda. Peace Baskets were used following the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 as evidence of another transformed heart. This wasn’t an ordinary basket; it was symbol of peace. These determined women decided to use traditional agaseke baskets as a symbol of Rwanda’s newfound peace, and the baskets’ iconic zigzag patterns came to represent the image of two women holding hands embracing reconciliation, unity, and hope for the future of Rwanda. 50 cooperatives around the country that produce the famous peace baskets. Peace basket can be found in craft shops around Kigali

2. IMIGONGO

Back in 18 century, Imigongo were originally created and developed by Kakira, the son of King Kimenyi of Gisaka in the eastern Kibungo region near the Tanzanian border. He used them to decorate the interior of his house and the dull wall of his hut. He then taught local women his method and they passed it on through the generations. The designs take the form of geometrical and spiral shapes to form a beautiful and fashionable pattern. Pigments range from white and black, red earth to ochre. Imigongo paintings are a truly indigenous Rwandan art form. Peace basket can be found in craft shops around Kigali

3. GORILLA STICKS

There is the plain walking stick that most often is about 5 feet in height. A walking stick eases your movements and makes you steady throughout the trek. In other words, a walking stick gives you balance through the slippery muddy forest grounds. There is the more ornamental, carved walking stick that makes an excellent souvenir of your gorilla trek in Rwanda. You can purchase an ornamental one at a souvenir shop.

4. UBUMUNTU

The Ubumuntu Heart – a single heart formed by two people embracing, connected to the World – is inspired by Rwanda’s geometric design tradition. It reflects the concept of ‘Ubumuntu’: our shared humanity, actively expressed through empathy and care for other people. You can choose from: bags, books, bracelets, dogtag, drinkware, necklace, pendant, phone case, t-shirt, Watch. https://championhumanity.com/collections/types?q=phonecase

5. COFFEE

One of the things should not miss in Rwanda is to sip the delicious coffee. Rwanda is the country of origin of some of the best gourmet coffee in the World, especially its well-known Arabica Bean Bourbon Coffee. The uniqueness of Rwandan coffee is attributed to the excellent environmental conditions in which it is grown. High altitudes and nitrogen-rich volcanic soils found across the country. Rwanda coffee has a silky, buttery creamy body that it carries into the aftertaste with floral notes of Ethopian Yirgacheffe Coffee and also an acidity of the Kenyan coffee. The aroma gives off a lemon and orange flavor with floral notes that complement the sweet citrus qualities with a feel of caramel in the aftertaste. A sweet flavor that is given off by a good Rwanda coffee suggests caramelized cane sugar along with spice notes of cinnamon, clove, allspice as well as rose floral aromas. Different brand of Rwandan coffee can be found in Supermarkets across Rwanda.