Shopping for Curios & Handicrafts, Pemba

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Pemba is one of the best places in Mozambique for handicrafts and curios. Ad hoc curio markets, woodcarving cooperatives and local markets make shopping for souvenirs in Pemba both fruitful and fun. Makonde carvings, Tinga Tinga paintings, Ibo Island jewelry and decorative baskets are all to be found here. But take care, the quality varies. Woodcarving cooperatives are a great place to shop for higher quality painted sculptures and hardwood Makonde carvings. Artes Makonde (formerly CEE Bee Art Gallery) specializes in higher-end jewelry, paintings, baskets and, of course, Makonde art. And while the Mbanguia market, Mercado do Mbanguia in Portuguese, may not have much in the way of souvenirs, a trip to this local market offers families insight to daily life on the Cabo Delgado coast. Shop for fruit, spices and cloth. Take pictures of yellow, red and green. Teach the kids to bargain for baskets and more.

Getting there

Curio markets are located just outside the gates of the Pemba Beach Hotel and Nautilus Beach Resort. There are three Makonde woodcarving cooperatives in Pemba; opposite the airport, south entrance of the Mbanguia market, and on the coast road near Pemba Beach Hotel. Artes Makonde is located near the main Catholic Church in Pemba and has a small shop in the Pemba Beach Hotel as well as Nautilus Beach Resort. The Mercado do Mbanguia is situated along the beach in Pemba's Natite district.

Curio Market & Woodcarving Cooperatives
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Pemba Map
Pemba Info

Things to keep in mind

Care is warranted when purchasing jewelry at the curio markets; it is not always made of the silver it is peddled for. Ivory, coral, and seashells as well as articles made of turtle shell may be tempting but bringing these curios home is most likely illegal. Mind your wallet and purse in Mbanguia market.