Souvenirs are tangible symbols that remind travellers of the travel experience they would have just had in the destination. I call it leaving with a piece of the destination after my travels. I like souvenirs because they arouse & enkindle memories of my travel experiences. Personally, souvenirs have to be authentic and help tell the story of the destination, the culture, the people and way of life through its design. I typically end up deciding on the best souvenir based on its size because I still need to fit it in my luggage and most importantly, they need to pass the ethical test, which I will outline throughout this article.
SUSTAINABILITY
For your souvenirs to pass the sustainability & ethical test, they have to be locally produced and sold at a fair price for the producers. Sustainable souvenirs should not be made from exotic materials nor endangered animals. When travelling with Tiritose Sustainable Travel we ensure that you purchase the ethical, meaningful souvenirs that will definitely remind you of the beauty of Zimbabwe.
HOW TO BE AN ETHICAL SHOPPER?
Be inquisitive & always ask about the origins of the materials of the souvenir. Knowing the correct information will also help you when your friends and family see the souvenir in your room and ask questions about it. When buying souvenirs aim to purchase items that have not caused harm to the environment in their manufacture for example natural, organic and non-polluting sources. The manufacturing of the items should not be harmful to wildlife and made from materials that do not bring waste problems at the end of their useful lives. A number of people are trying to protect endangered species such as rhinos for future generations. This only means you must try to acknowledge their efforts by not purchasing souvenirs from endangered animals. The proceeds of your purchase should be brought back to the community to improve the lives of the locals or improve or preserve the local ecosystem.
SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Make it your goal to support the local economy when buying your souvenirs. We can all agree that it is interesting to buy the souvenir directly from the person who made it. Some local people make a living by making souvenirs giving you every reason to support them. It will be your chance to support a positive, responsible tourism outcome.
WHAT YOU CAN BUY
Zimbabwe has some sincerely pleasing and unique arts, curios and crafts to purchase. You have the opportunity to choose from a variety of sustainable and ethical souvenirs. Basket weaving is a very traditional skill of Zimbabwean women. Local materials such as leaves, and tree barks are used to make the baskets. In Victoria Falls, the Elephant Walk Shopping Centre has upmarket shops for jewellery and crafts. As a sustainable person you can buy items such as natural organic kinds of honey and other food items. You can also purchase wooden items crafted using traditional skills, handcrafted jewellery and hand-made pottery or ceramic items.
Soapstone carving ranging from abstracts of animals to women are popular with most travellers. Wooden sculptures made from mahogany and ebony will definitely look good in your living room. May I suggest the emerald stones, which are fashioned into beautiful fancy jewellery…thank me later!
INVOLVING YOURSELF
You can involve yourself with local craftspeople and get more information on the souvenirs before making a purchase. One of the best ways to achieve this is to have a cultural-themed tour and this way you get to understand what inspires the crafts people. You allow yourself to fully immerse your mind and soul in the making of the souvenirs and get a deeper understanding of the culture and the souvenirs. You will be able to give your souvenir the right value it deserves. A day trip or overnight trip to Tengenenge Art Community in Mavuradonha puts you face to face with the artists living and working in a remote area, inspired by mother nature. You also have the option to come on one of our markets tours or arts tours, where we visit studios and galleries, with the option of working together with the artists as you create your very own souvenir – an artist-in-residency or apprenticeship of sort #FUN.
SOUVENIRS TO AVOID
Millions of people fly each summer and thousands come home with souvenirs made from animal material. Some people are oblivious and have no idea that they have done something wrong, while for some it is deliberate. Customs officials and border control seize tourist souvenirs made from endangered species such as rhinos and so you should avoid buying items produced from ivory and rhino horn as these destroy the wildlife and could potentially lead you in jail. Never buy live plants and wooden items that have come from non-sustainable felling. Never take things or objects from monuments or heritage sites such as Great Zimbabwe or places that have high cultural significance to the local people.
TIPS FOR FINDING MEANINGFUL SOUVENIRS
· Do your research before you arrive
· Go straight to the source
· Join a culture themed tour
· Ask locals
Trips are incomplete without the walk to the local markets where you can get yourself the perfect souvenirs. I hope this guide helps you get sustainable beautiful souvenirs that will tell your friends and family of your time abroad.
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