SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRSSUZON ARSIGA
SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRS
IN THE MIDDLE EAST
GRADE 6 - 12
LOCATION; PLACE; REGION;
INTRODUCTION:
"Shopping for Souvenirs" will help children develop a broader sense of place by investigating the types of souvenirs a traveler might purchase in Middle Eastern countries. It is especially important for students to learn that places such as Riyadh, Kuwait City, Baghdad, and Tel Aviv are more than strange names heard during a time of war.
OBJECTIVES:
Students will be able to:
1. Use an atlas to color in the large bodies of water in the Middle East.
2. Locate the Middle Eastern countries on the map.
3. Develop a map key for the souvenirs.
4. Put the product information on the map using the map keys.
MATERIALS:
Wall map or transparency of the Middle East
Middle East map - worksheets
Shopping data (from Swissair Middle East travel Guide)
Blank chart forms
Colored pencils
PROCEDURE:
1. Have student discuss the types of souvenirs they have received from different places and how these items in some way represent the places they came from.
2. Distribute individual Middle Eastern maps and atlases and have students color in the major bodies of water.
3. Label the countries.
4. Read the shopping guide handout to determine the types of souvenirs to be found in each country. The activity might be easier if students worked in groups. Highlighters can make this very interesting.
5. Put the products on the chart handout.
6. Student may now decide how they would like to group products before they make the map key.
7. Develop many keys. Allow for differences and let students be creative.
8. Put information on maps
EXTENSIONS:
1. Have individuals or groups choose a country and research why these products are representative of the area.
2. Compare and contrast souvenirs from different countries.
BAHRAIN
The main shopping areas are Government Road, Al-Khalifa Road and Sheik Abdulla Road at the north end of Manama.
The Souk (Bazaar) of Sheikh Abdulla and Bab-al-Bahrain roads is also worth visiting, since it offers a variety of native crafts: Best local buys are pearls and other jewelry. Bargaining is acceptable in the markets but considered bad form in better shops.
CYPRUS
Popular items include: handmade lace, leather and cloth bags, woven tablecloths, pottery and ceramics, treated sheepskins, leather jackets, basket work, copper and silver ware, woodcarvings and furniture.
EGYPT
The most popular souvenirs are camel saddles, copper and silver trays, alabaster and leatherwork (Cairo bags), ivory, ceramics, oriental perfumes, poufs and rugs.
IRAN
Fine carpets and tribal rugs both new and antique; silver, brass, copper and gold handicrafts from Isfahan and Shiraz. Brocades, enamel wares, old lacquer work, ceramics, antique glass, embroideries, and hand-blocked printed cottons are found at the bazaars.
IRAQ
Look out for copperware at the Al-Safafeer Bazaar in Baghdad, silver works at the Al-Sagha Bazaar; local ceramics, craftware, carpets and antiques can be found at the Shorja markets.
ISRAEL
Brass, copperware, oriental carpets, antiques, leather goods, jewelry. Bargaining is customary in bazaars and Arab shops.
JORDAN
Shops and souks in Amman are well-stocked with local handicrafts, souvenir and craft shops as well as supermarkets, pharmacies, and shops specializing in furnishings, sports goods, clothing (mostly European). Recommended articles are galabia (woolen jackets or coats lined with sheepskin), wrought bronze, silver bracelets, coralware, ceramics, velvet jackets, traditional embroidery. The gold souk, off King Faisal Street, is also of interest.
KUWAIT
The best modern shops are located in Fahed Al Salem Street, Kuwait City, and Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya, 15 km from Kuwait City.
Merchandise of the highest quality is sold in the principal stores.
The main market places are located off Abdallah Al Salem Street and in Mubarakiah (gold market).
Recommended articles: electronic appliances, jewelry, watches, cameras.
LEBANON
Wide variety of oriental goods: rugs, brassware, copper, leathergoods, silver, gold, textiles, pottery.
Bargaining is customary in bazaars and most shops.
OMAN
Main shopping areas are the Souks of Muscat and Muttrah and the modern shops in Ruwi. The most typical local items are brass, copper and silverware, with traditional Omani daggers and jewelry as most original presents. The pottery is suitable for water storage and plant pots.
Also to be found are goods from Pakistan and India: onyx, brass, rugs, wall tapestries, wood carvings, and cotton materials. Other goods that can be had at good prices: pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, toiletries, cameras and films. Bargaining is on the whole to be avoided and left to Omani nationals only.
QATAR
Shops are well-stocked and numerous, mainly in the Musairab Street area and in Tayyan Road. The principal traditional market is the Souk Wakif. Most articles are imported. Prices are fixed at all the large department stores, which a cash discounts is nevertheless given on some large purchases.
SAUDI ARABIA
Carpets, textiles, Bedouin jewelry, and antiques are available in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. Bargaining is customary in souks (bazaars) and most shops.
SUDAN
The main shopping centers in Khartoum are the Arab and the European markets. Worth buying are hides from the Sudanese Folklore Houses. At the bazaar on Omdurman you can buy wrought silver and copper, gold and silver filigree jewelry, ivory and ebony carvings and leather goods. Bargaining is usual especially in the Arab markets.
SYRIA
The best shops in Damascus are in Port Said, Al Hamra, Kassaa and Parliament Streets. A wide variety of brocade, mosaic glass, brass, rugs, kaftans and traditional costumes can be found. Bargaining is customary in bazaars or souks and most shops.
TURKEY
Antiques are extremely rare and should only be bought in well-established shops. Beware of buying an object of historical value as it may be confiscated at customs and land you into trouble. Keep the bills. (Old coins are particularly protected.) You will get jewelry, embroidery, copper, brass, alabaster and leather goods are reasonably prices. Other popular buys are meerschaum pipes, articles in onyx and marble, dried fruit, pistachios, spices, raki and oriental sweetmeats. These can be found at the famous bazaar in Istanbul.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The principal shopping area in Abu Dhabi is in Sheikh Hamdan Street. The main local products are silk, Beduin jewelry, Arab daggers and coffee pots, all of which are inexpensive.
The Souks in the old waterfront area of Dubai have many small shops specializing in local area handicrafts,notably good ornamental jewelry, rugs, leatherwork and silver or copper pots and jugs.
YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC
The souks offer a wealth of ancient Yemeni handicrafts, weapons, jewelry, and textiles. Bargaining is customary. All sales activity stops during prayer-time (five times a day).