Ideas for Cultural Keepsakes

While in Ethiopia, it's only natural for parents to want mementos to bring back home. These cultural keepsakes are much more than souvenirs brought back from a trip though. They are touchstones to their child's birthplace, a discussion piece showcased in their house, a prized possession for their son or daughter to be proud of...

Here are a couple of suggestions for things to bring back from Ethiopia:

• Musical instruments (like a drum)
• CDs and DVDs
• Books written in Amharic
• Traditional outfits
• Ethiopian bed pillow
• Ethiopian rag doll (sold in the Mercato in the clothing stalls in large baskets on the floor)
• Fabric (to make pillows, cover photo albums or journals, headbands, etc. once back home)
• Silver jewelry (which is weighed to determine the purchase price so when you find a design that you like, ask the salesperson bring out several of that same design to compare the weight before purchase). If you ask, the salesperson will place the jewerly in a tiny yarn woven basket which is a gift itself.
• Beads (to make bracelet or necklaces once back home)

We'd love to hear other ideas. Please add them in the comments section...