
Souvenirs & What to Buy in Shymkent, Kazakhstan
1. Shymkent Hand-Woven Carpets
Traditional Kazakh carpets made with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, perfect for decorating homes or adding a unique touch to any room.
- Authenticity: Each carpet is hand-woven by local artisans, ensuring authenticity and quality.
- Cultural Significance: Carpets carry deep cultural significance in Kazakhstan and make a wonderful cultural souvenir.
- Customization: You can often custom-order a carpet to fit your specifications, making it a one-of-a-kind piece.
2. Kazakh Embroidery
Delicate and beautiful embroidered items like bags, wall hangings, and clothes showcasing traditional Kazakh patterns.
- Artisanship: Each piece is hand-embroidered by skilled local artisans.
- Cultural Preservation: Purchasing embroidery helps support the preservation of this traditional craft.
- Customization: You can often custom-order an item with your preferred design or pattern.
3. Kazakhstan National Dish Set
Set of traditional Kazakh dishes like a dastarkhan and kuyrdak, perfect for cooking and enjoying authentic Kazakh cuisine.
- Culinary Experience: This set allows you to cook and enjoy traditional Kazakh dishes in your own home.
- Authenticity: The dishes are handmade by local artisans, ensuring authentic quality.
- Cultural Immersion: This set provides a unique cultural immersion experience through food.
4. Chimyz Ak-Orda Hat
Stunning traditional Kazakh hat made from camel wool and adorned with colorful patterns, perfect for a unique fashion statement.
- Authenticity: Each hat is handmade using traditional methods.
- Cultural Significance: The Ak-Orda hat holds significant cultural value in Kazakhstan.
- Durability: The hats are made from durable camel wool, ensuring longevity.
5. Kazakhstan National Music Instruments
Traditional Kazakh musical instruments like the dombra (lute) or kobyz (two-stringed instrument), perfect for music lovers.
- Authenticity: Each instrument is handmade by local artisans.
- Cultural Significance: Instruments play a vital role in Kazakh music and cultural heritage.
- Quality Sound: The instruments produce unique, high-quality sounds.
6. Kazakhstan Silver Jewelry
Beautiful and intricate silver jewelry showcasing traditional Kazakh patterns and designs.
- Authenticity: Each piece is handmade by local silversmiths.
- Cultural Significance: Silver jewelry plays an important role in Kazakhstan's cultural heritage.
- Durability: Silver is a durable material, ensuring the longevity of your purchase.
7. Shymkent Spices and Teas
A variety of local spices and teas, perfect for adding a unique flavor to your dishes or enjoying traditional Kazakh teas.
- Authenticity: Spices and teas are sourced locally and provide an authentic taste of Kazakhstan.
- Culinary Experience: Experiment with new spices to enhance your cooking skills.
- Health Benefits: Many local teas are known for their healing properties and health benefits.
8. Kazakhstan National Dolls
Traditional Kazakh dolls dressed in national costumes, representing different regions of the country.
- Cultural Representation: Each doll represents a unique region and its culture.
- Authenticity: The dolls are handmade by local artisans using traditional methods.
- Collectible Value: Dolls make a great addition to any cultural collection.
9. Kazakh National Costumes
Vibrant and intricately designed traditional Kazakh costumes for women and men.
- Cultural Significance: Costumes carry deep cultural significance in Kazakhstan.
- Authenticity: Each costume is handmade by local artisans using traditional methods.
- Customization: You can often custom-order a costume to fit your specifications.
10. Kazakhstan National Costume Accessories
Traditional Kazakh accessories like headscarves, belts, and bags adorned with intricate designs.
- Authenticity: Each accessory is handmade by local artisans using traditional methods.
- Cultural Significance: Accessories play an important role in Kazakhstan's cultural heritage.
- Customization: You can often custom-order an accessory with your preferred design or pattern.
11. Kazakhstan National Bread
Delicious traditional Kazakh bread, such as nan and bulma, perfect for snacking or pairing with meals.
- Authenticity: Bread is baked using traditional methods in local bakeries.
- Cultural Significance: Bread plays a central role in Kazakh cuisine and culture.
- Taste Experience: Experience the unique taste of traditional Kazakh bread.
12. Kazakhstan Traditional Games and Puzzles
Traditional Kazakh games like kok-par (goat grabbing) or shashlik (shooting game), as well as intricate puzzles.
- Cultural Experience: Games and puzzles provide a unique cultural experience.
- Authenticity: Each game or puzzle is made using traditional methods.
- Entertainment Value: Games and puzzles offer hours of fun and entertainment.
13. Shymkent Pottery
Beautiful handcrafted pottery items like bowls, vases, and plates, perfect for adding a unique touch to your home decor.
- Authenticity: Each piece is handmade by local artisans.
- Cultural Significance: Pottery holds cultural significance in Kazakhstan and many surrounding regions.
- Customization: You can often custom-order a piece with your preferred design or pattern.
14. Shymkent Local Art
Beautiful paintings and drawings by local artists showcasing scenes of Kazakhstan's landscapes, culture, and everyday life.
- Authenticity: Each piece is created by a local artist.
- Cultural Experience: Art provides a unique glimpse into Kazakhstan's culture and everyday life.
- Customization: You can often commission a custom piece from a local artist.
15. Shymkent Local Music CDs or Digital Downloads
Traditional Kazakh music recorded by local musicians, perfect for enjoying the unique sounds of the region.
- Authenticity: Music is recorded by local musicians.
- Cultural Experience: Music provides a unique cultural experience and insight into Kazakhstan's heritage.
- Variety: You can find a wide variety of music styles and genres from Kazakhstan.