I would like to share my experience at Phezulu Safari Park Curio Shop in Botha's Hill which lays in the heart of A Valley of a 1000 Hills KwaZulu Natal South Africa.
Thank you @dswigle for hosting Market-friday challenge and making it possible for me to share it with you.
Peter and I had a date with @lizelle and her hubby Arthur yesterday, we were suppose to go to the Chef School in the Valley of a Thousand Hills a few kilometers from where we live for lunch, only to find they were closed on a Thursday, feeling disappointed and undecided on what to do or where to go, Peter suggested Phe-Zulu Safari Park which was just around the corner from the Chef's School. We weren't to sure on what to expect as we hadn't been there for many years.
No! we didn't go hunting today or go on a Safari tour, lol!! We just visited the Curio Shop in the park.
Lizele and I were overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised at the amazing colors of the Zulu art and gifts on display, we were like two kids in a toy shop for the first time.
After our "oohing and aahing" we started taking photos then realized we both wanted to do a blog on the same subject.
Oh dear!....what now!....looking at each other wide eyed knowing what the other was thinking.
It wasn't like it was a major "train smash"... with a little compromising and a little delegating, we came to the agreement that I would do a post on the gifts department and Lizelle would do the clothing and fabric as there was just to much to put into one post, we didn't want to bore our Hivian friends with a long tiresome post.
So!... with out any further a do, we parted in different directions clicking the camera on our poor phones until the battery died.
A wooden wall hanging of traditional ceremonial Zulu masks
Wooden beaded dolls hand made by Zulu women and a colored plastic wired hippopotamus.
Ornamental gifts carved out of hard wood by Zulu men, and reasonably priced too.
Figurines carved from drift wood depicting the Zulu tribe with the white doted pattern painted on it.
Hand painted Big Five on shopping Bag
Beautifully hand painted wooden bowls, I just love those earthy colors.
Lovely grass baskets with lids
Hand painted ceramic bowl. My Christmas gift to myself. Lol!
The Zulu masks are worn in dances or special ceremonies, they have spiritual meanings, their beliefs are formed around the presence of their ancestral spirits which are very important to them especially their religion.
Each mask has a special purpose, either to bring good luck or ward off evil spirits.
(OMG! they scare the hell out of me, Lol!)
A ceremonial wooden mask
Some colorful wooden maidens made by the Zulu people. The Zulus are very proud but humble people and take their culture very seriously.
Wooden figuring's dressed in hand painted fabric
Zulu Chess Board
All the figures on the chess board is hand carved, that would make a beautiful Christmas gift for the avid chess player.
Carved head of an elder of the Zulu tribe
Hand carved wooden painted Zebra
Beautiful African drums and hand carved giraffes, all these curio art works are so reasonably priced, I was amazed, so much work goes into each item, makes me wonder what the poor artist got paid for his or her amazing work.
Carved animals and bowls The African people are known for their bright colors and beads.
A kudu buck watching over the establishment
Big Five Coasters
Mobiles made from material and sticks, beautiful gift for a young lady.
Hand brightly painted tin mugs to add to your camping gear.
Carved Elephant and Rhino.
Tall skinny figuring's gazing out at the green hills over looking the valley
Annie the Rag Doll, waiting patiently for some one to pick her up give her a huge hug and take her home with them.
Here we have Sam the guardsman watching over his section, hasn't met Annie yet I don't think.
Beautifully painted ostrich eggs
Painted Ostrich eggs
Colorful masks
Gifts for Africa, there is so much to see in this shop it is just to much to show in one post. I will have to do another post at a later stage to show the rest of the amazingly beautiful work of these dedicated artists.
Hope you have enjoyed the tour as much as I have, until next time, have a great weekend. All thanks to @dswigle #MarketFriday Challenge.
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Original content by @artywink