Birthday Tradition

I'm a pretty big proponent of trying to keep your child's birth country culture alive as they assimilate into their new environment. I wish I could remember what blog I read this on (if you know it, please comment so I can give credit where credit is due!), but I read about a family who was adopting a child from Ethiopia. While they were in country, they bought enough Ethiopian items to give their child a present each year until they turned 18. I think this is brilliant. It gives you a reason to do a little shopping and allows you to recognize your child's birth culture each and every birthday. I would imagine your child will cherish many of these things forever.

Some of my favorite things I've brought home from Ethiopia have been a cross that was used in religious ceremonies and processions, a drum with real animal skin and a handcarved, handpainted Oware game.

similar to the cross we have hanging on our wall

similar to our drum

oware

My favorite places to shop are around Churchill Street, near the post office. Make sure you walk up the hill (towards the Piassa) for some shops that are real gems. If you're walking up the hill, you'll see my favorite secrets on the right. You'll also pass Selasse Jewelry if it's back open again. Last time I was visiting, they were renovating and expanding so they weren't open. The ALERT Hospital has a handicraft shop where you can usually meet some of the craftsmen and women who have been affected by leprosy and who benefit from your purchases.

ALERT

There's also a bazaar I really like that is at the International Evangelical Church near the old airport. I believe it's held every month except during the rainy season. All of the vendors there are selling goods to benefit nonprofit efforts. There are some great things and a great variety there. If haggling prices isn't your thing but you don't want to be completely taken advantage of, this is the place for you.

What about you? Did you buy anything while you were in your child's birth country? Any other places you love to shop or secrets you'd share with the rest of us heading to Africa soon?