Visiting an exotic location and not acquiring a hand-crafted souvenir wouldn’t feel right. Luckily, Fiji has a handicraft centre located right in the Suva’s Central Business District.
The Suva Curio Handicraft Center is a magnificent and vibrant marketplace which is exclusive to showcase and promote the vast and rich artistic heritage and talents of the artisans of Fiji. It is a must-visit area for anyone who is seeking to purchase an authentic handicraft depicting the Fijian culture.
Area: Municipal Car Park, Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji
Known for: Kava Bowls, Grass Skirts, Tapa (Fijian Cloth) and Lali (Fijian Drum)
The Curio Handicraft Centre offers a variety of Fijian and Indo-Fijian souvenirs and mementos. The diverse selection includes local heritage traditional items such as Kava Bowls, Grass Skirts, Tapa (Fijian Cloth), and Lali (Fijian Drum), each carrying the essence and aura of the Fijian culture.
The major plus point of this marketplace is that it, it allows tourists to bargain. Yes! you read it right, you can negotiate although the prices are pretty reasonable and fair but who doesn’t like saving a few bucks. One must make sure to approach the marketplace with respect, considering the meticulous craftsmanship and time invested in creating these unique and timeless pieces.
There are tons of shops & stalls filled with carvings, shell necklaces, mats, handbags, purses, conch souvenirs, hats and other items. The learning thing here is to distinguish between the dark, finely patterned Fiji “masi” – tapa, or bark cloth – and the light brown Tongan “ngatu,” with its freer design. Or choose between the round or turtle-shaped “tānoa,” the bowls used for preparing and serving kava.
Opening Hours
- Days: Monday to Saturday (Sunday is a holiday)
- Time: 0800 hours – 1700hours (8am – 5pm)
Resources
If you’re interested in knowing more about the Suva Handicraft marketplace then you can approach the following links
- Suva City Council Website: https://suvacity.org/
- Gift Souvenirs & Handicraft Boutique Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aveastk/