Dream-Travel

Durban Art and Craft Markets

Southafrica

carving of the big five of africa

No one visiting South Africa wants to leave the country without having at least one piece of local art or craft in his luggage. I cannot help myself smiling, when I see the tourists at the airport trying to fit a huge wooden rhino or even a big giraffe, with its head sticking out about a meter, in their hand luggage.

Durban has more than enough to offer when it comes to art, crafts, beadwork and ethnic art, the favourite Markets and Art Centres being:

The Market on the Marine Parade, that u cannot miss, while walking down the beachfront which is run mostly by women, sitting on their blankets right , with the goods spread out in front of them on the floor. Here you will find simple ethnic goods and curious, often made right there, as well as stuff `made in China ´. Walking North on a Sunday u will be able to visit the Amphimarket as well which definitely is the better place to find something special to take home.

ethinc-masks

If your interest in African art and crafts goes slightly further than just taking something home as present or as reminder of the Holiday, you should definitely visit the African Art Centre where local KwaZulu-Natal artists are promoted. The collection of Zulu items on sale there is of a super quality and reasonably priced. Or go to the Bayside Gallery in the Bat Centre which also specialises in South African art and craft and where u can even watch the artists at work.
To be continued