LE « MARCHÉ CONGOLAIS »

In front of the entrance to the Source Hotel of the Nile, this «market» dedicated to the sale of African souvenirs is made up of wooden and plate kiosks that are true caves of Ali Baba. It is known as «Congolese» because the sellers of the neighbouring DRC are numerous and there are many Congolese bills of invoice (replica of wooden sculptures, musical instruments, plant tissages, jewellery, amulets).

There are also strictly Burundian articles (painted wooden fruits, sculpted bas-reliefs, vanneries, drums, mobiles and balsa toys) and other crafts in Eastern Africa, stone or wood (necklaces and bracelets, makonde sculptures, ashtrays, saucers…).

Here no price is final and all this negotiates. «Congolese» sculptures are rarely original. If so, keep in mind the traffic in cultural property looted… and train to European customs if you go beyond. Unfortunately, the future of this "market" is uncertain, since at the time of the investigation, it was mentioned that these sellers were being hunted without offering them an alternative solution.