Mayotte jeweller
Over the last few years, Mayotte has built up a reputation in the work of gold and silver filigree which is not usurped. A real goldsmith's work, fine and meticulous, to realize jewels and ornaments, by craftsmen with fairy fingers. Jewellery occupies an important place in Mauritian society, as it is an essential part of the dowry during big weddings. Most often, the groom's family gives the bride-to-be a gold set. Gold and silver are worked all over the island, but more particularly in the village of Sada. The most common motifs are of course the icons of the island: the ylang-ylang flower, the seahorse shape of the eponymous island, the gecko, the turtle or the baobab, but you can place an order well in advance to have a personalised jewel. You will also find many jewelers in the rue du Commerce in Mamoudzou.
The art of sculpture
Carved wood is a technique imported from the neighbouring island of Anjouan. From small objects such as boxes, dhows, pirogues or kitchen utensils, to imposing sculptures such as furniture or doors, the craftsmen display a wide range of skills. It is possible to place an order to have the object of your choice, having agreed on the deadline and the price in advance of course. To observe the builders of traditional outrigger canoes, head for Poroani (commune of Chirongui) where three fundis continue to keep this local know-how alive. Bamboo is also carved, for lighter objects. Touch du Bois , an artisanal company specialized in pens, is located in Tsingoni.
Braiding, embroidery and basketry
Embroidery was introduced by nuns in Madagascar before arriving in Mayotte, the term Récélé is the Creole contraction of the word Richelieu, corresponding to the Richelieu stitch. The women of Mayotte make beautiful tablecloths, towels and curtains to decorate their homes. Very skilful with their fingers and above all very inventive, the Mahorais also excel in the art of weaving. Where we use plastic, brick, wood, or even fabric, in Mayotte we use coconut leaves. Skillfully woven, they resist wind, rain and heavy weights. Don't hesitate to test the coconut leaf bag to go to the market, solidity guaranteed. Numerous associations propose initiations to coconut weaving, a pleasant activity for all ages. Finally, in palm tree fibers, liana, bamboo or raffia, Maori basketry comes in the form of baskets, but also hats or mats (an essential element for lazing around on the beach). The Sada hat, ideal and effective for protection from the sun, is a typical Mayotte accessory.
Mayotte in its plate
If you like poutou, achards and spices, you will find what you are looking for in the covered market of Mamoudzou where the Bouénis display their plastic bottles filled with the sacred beverage. Be careful to pack them well for the journey though. On the spice side, a myriad of colours and scents illuminate the stalls; you can find nutmeg, cloves, and pepper is particularly tasty. Pastry lovers can also bring back vanilla. Mayotte vanilla is a top-of-the-range product, and the "organic vanilla" label guarantees its superior quality. The vanilla tree, an orchid with a climbing stem, grows in humid and tropical climatic conditions. Vanillin is extracted from its pods and is sought after in perfumery and pastry-making. Finally, Mayotte also offers very good jams with exotic flavours (pineapple, mango, letchi) and original flavours (jackfruit, ylang ylang, baobab, sweet potato...). Enough to extend your gustatory journey.
Essential oils
Easy to transport and available on the markets or directly on the production sites, the essential oil is an original souvenir to bring back from Mayotte. The most famous is that of yland-ylang. According to naturopaths, it is antiseptic, healing, revitalizing, skin balancing, calming and relaxing, reduces tension and facilitates sleep. Mayotte is dotted with fields and stills, quite artisanal, to distil the essence. Mayotte is one of the largest exporters of ylang-ylang in the world. Guerlain even had a plantation there.
Reading to learn more
Mayotte is full of talented authors, storytellers and cartoonists who tell the story of the island in their own words, like Nassur Attoumani(Les Anachronismes de Mayotte, Ed. NDZ, 2012, Le Turban et la capote, Grand Océan Editions, 1997) or Manou Manssour(L'Auberge mahoraise, Jets d'encre, 2009, Odes à l'homme perverti (Odes to the Perverted Man), Edilivre, 2009). They are interested in the history of the archipelago, its traditions, its political and migratory tensions, and the beauty of the island, but they also tell us about their adventures outside the territory. Comic strips or humorous accounts by metropolitan residents living on the island or passing through highlight the surprises and cultural discoveries experienced on arrival on the Seahorse(Les Bouénis, Cyrille Le Corre, Ed. Kouleur Afrik, Un M'zungu à Mamoudzou, Chronique mahoraise, Janine and Jean-Claude Fourrier, Ed. L'Harmattan, 2001).
Mayotte coloured
Lovers of colourful fabrics will be able to bring back a beautiful salouva in their suitcases. Traditional dress of all the women of the island, it is composed of multiple pieces of fabric sewn together with bright colors. There are all types of fabrics and cloths to make it, colorful with geometric patterns. The art of salouva is so developed that two events are dedicated to it: the election of Miss Salouva at the beginning of August and the contest "Salouva suits you so well" in February.
And why not take the opportunity to bring back something to prepare a beauty mask or m'zinzano which is proudly worn by Maori women? A symbol of feminine beauty, it is used, among other things, to smooth the skin by removing surface impurities. It is possible to buy the natural products to make it either freshly picked or in powder form at the market or elsewhere. A true cultural initiation.Some ideas for gifts made in Mayotte
A game of M'raha: this game board is carved and sculpted in a beautiful heavy wood (red wood). The game consists of a case in two parts connected by hinges with 16 holes each and 64 M'so seeds. It is found in Africa and Madagascar, the rules of the game are simple and easy to find on the internet if you forget them. More fragile but decorative, you can also bring back porcelain painting. A tableware revisited and decorated in the Mahoran style, an original gift idea proposed by Moon Creations in Mamoudzou (Les Hauts-Vallons).
