The Best Ivory Coast Handicrafts To Bring Back Home

By Jenna Jolie | Update on: Dec 10, 2024

Traveling to the Ivory Coast, where the modern and the traditional intertwine to create a captivating mosaic of cultures, tourists will enjoy numerous unique experiences rarely found elsewhere.

In local traditional markets, you will encounter a delightful fusion of traditional handicrafts that captivate every curious traveler. From vibrant fabrics and exquisite wooden sculptures to aromatic coffee, the quaint boutiques and bustling stalls offer an array of Ivory Coast handicrafts, perfect as souvenirs for your family and friends.

Table of Contents

Key of Type Ivory Coast Handicrafts
Where to Buy Ivory Coast Handicrafts?
Buy Ivory Coast Handicrafts: Shopping Tips for Visitors

Key of Type Ivory Coast Handicrafts

If you're looking for souvenirs from Ivory Coast, handicrafts are a must-buy. Here’s a complete list of unique and authentic items to consider!

Masks

Top-rated Ivory Coast handicrafts are Masks. They are souvenirs that any traveler wants to bring back home - the Ivory Coast's most iconic handcraft, depicting many ethnic groups such as the Dan, Senoufo, and Baoulé. Each mask is created with indigenous materials and skills and is frequently used for spiritual or ceremonial purposes.

Dan Masks are created by the Dan ethnic group in the Dix-Huit Montagnes region, are famed for their detailed designs, and are used in traditional dances to commemorate key events such as harvests and marriages. The comment mask, which represents fecundity, is particularly noteworthy, with a long beak-shaped after a toucan.
Senoufo masks, known for their stylized and fanciful designs, may be bought at the Dalekhana Artisans' Centre, which offers high-quality craftsmanship at cheap costs. Notable artists, such as Kolo Fibé Coulibaly, make one-of-a-kind works that combine cultural history and artistic creativity.
Baoulé Masks: These multi-faced masks represent intelligence and other elements of humanity, and they are frequently used in ceremonies to foster community harmony.

Wooden Sculptures

Ivorian souvenirs also include intricate statuettes, wooden and bronze sculptures, and representations of animals like elephants and giraffes or symbolic figures of elders and hornbills—each piece telling its own story.

Beyond sculptures, travelers can choose musical instruments like djembes and awalés or colorful canvases, batiks, and Korhogo cloths as memorable gifts showcasing Ivorian craftsmanship.

Masks and wooden sculptures are ideal for the best souvenirs from the Ivory Coast

Masks and wooden sculptures are ideal for the best souvenirs from the Ivory Coast

Handcrafted Potteries

Pottery is a vital traditional craft in Ivory Coast, with artisans creating both decorative and functional items adorned with traditional motifs.

In Tanou Sakassou, near Bouaké, nearly 300 skilled potters craft unique ceramics, including black earthenware pottery inlaid with delicate silica flakes. The local markets offer exquisite pottery, such as vases with sculpted human figures, gargoulettes with bird motifs, and Kedjenou pots.

In Katiola, Mangoro women create beautiful pottery, including vases, jars, and jewelry boxes, showcasing their artistic skill.

Motiamo, near Bondoukou, is another pottery hub where artisans craft with black and red clay from nearby villages. At the Bondoukou market, visitors can find carefully shaped pots, bowls, and animal-inspired designs, each a testament to the region's rich artistic heritage.

Take a deeper look at some of the top markets in Ivory Coast art through The Traditional Arts and Crafts Markets in Ivory Coast.

Handcrafted pottery items should be put on your list of souvenirs from Ivory Coast

Handcrafted pottery items should be put on your list of souvenirs from Ivory Coast

Textiles And Leather Goods

Textiles and leather goods are great souvenirs that capture the essence of Ivory Coast's artistic heritage. In the town of Korhogo, skilled artisans excel in producing hand-painted textiles known as toiles, which are versatile pieces suitable for adorning walls or adding a decorative touch to any space.

It is highly recommended to come across CAVA, conveniently located between the city center in Plateau and the airport in Port Bouet, to get the most charming traditional fabrics. Its well-maintained lanes brim with a lot of souvenirs and gift items, enticing visitors with a diverse range of choices. From textiles adorned with vibrant patterns to intricately carved wooden pieces and fine leather goods, every corner of this market offers tourists an idea for their souvenirs.

In addition to the grand textile item, as you wander through this vibrant marketplace, you'll discover many kinds of leather goods meticulously crafted by skilled hands in the Ivory Coast, embodying the timeless traditions of the region. Each item with an elegant detail makes it worthwhile buying as a meaningful gift on your trip to this beautiful West African country.

Jewelry and Fashion Accessories

Jewelry should also be put on the list of souvenirs to buy in the Ivory Coast for loved ones, as it is an enchanting way to show gratitude to the people you love.

The Ivory Coast women often wear jewelry daily to grace their attire, from bracelets to rings, pendants to hair ornaments. That's why the jewelry in this nation is diverse in forms and materials. Gold is a ubiquitous metal steeped in historical significance among the precious materials used in Ivorian jewelry. Once exclusively worn by West African royalty, gold objects symbolized power and prestige. The crafting of gold jewelry encompasses many techniques, from the intricate art of lost wax casting to the delicate precision of filigree work.

The intricately designed necklaces adorned with vibrant beads and elegant bracelets woven with traditional techniques are also great presents from the Ivory Coast. To buy Ivorian jewelry, travelers should visit local markets and artisanal centers, where you can find unique pieces of jewelry inspired by meticulous craftsmanship.

Where to Buy Ivory Coast Handicrafts?

Ivory Coast provides a bustling shopping experience for handicrafts, with several marketplaces and artisan centers highlighting the country's rich cultural heritage. Here are some of the greatest sites to buy original Ivorian goods at the best prices for travelers.

1. Cocody Market (Abijan)

Cocody Market is a popular location for both tourists and residents. The market's vibrant ambiance makes it an ideal place to browse and bargain for unusual things.

What to buy: wooden masks, handwoven baskets, apparel, and jewelry.

2. Marché de Treichville (Abidjan)

Marché de Treichville, known for its lively atmosphere, sells a wide range of products. This market is great for those looking for gorgeous and unusual handcrafted things.

What to buy: From traditional fabrics to pottery and art.

3. KAVA Artisanal Market (Abidjan)

KAVA Artisanal Market, located at 22 Rue des Ferronniers. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offers a pleasant setting for discovering traditional Ivorian crafts.

What to buy: Unique goods and handmade gifts made by independent artists and small enterprises.

4. Centre Artisanal de la Ville (Grand Bassam)

The Centre Artisanal, located in Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage site, focuses on regional art and craft.

What to buy: High-quality sculptures, fabrics, and jewelry created by local craftspeople.

5. Korhogo Market (Korhogo)

Korhogo Market, known for its rich cultural legacy, sells a wide range of things.

What to buy: textiles, Kente cloth, handmade crafts, traditional artifacts, and beautiful beadwork

6. Abobo Market (Abijan)

Abobo Market offers a more local experience by selling a variety of common things as well as crafts at reasonable costs. This less tourist market offers a real shopping experience.

7. Local craft stores (Yamoussoukro)

Yamoussoukro has modest craft boutiques that specialize in Ivorian art. These businesses frequently sell handmade things made by local artisans, making them noteworthy stops for visitors looking for unique mementos.

Buy Ivory Coast Handicrafts: Shopping Tips for Visitors

Bargaining: Prices are frequently negotiated at markets; do not be afraid to haggle.
Cash Payments: Most vendors prefer cash transactions, so make sure you have enough local currency.
Respectful Engagement: Always meet merchants pleasantly and express your gratitude for their crafts.
Exploring these markets and artisan sites will not only provide you with stunning products but will also immerse you in the Ivory Coast's rich culture.

You are a traveler looking to experience the vibrant culture of West Africa, so do not ignore the hidden beauty of Ivory Coast Traditional Clothing. Let’s explore!

Ivory Coast is a lovely country worth visiting at least once, whether for its diverse culture or the unique experience it brings us. Travelers are strongly encouraged to apply for an Ivory Coast visa online as the first step for their trips to this interesting country. Wish you many memorable moments on our journey to Ivory Coast!

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