What to buy in Kazakhstan
What to bring from Kazakhstan
Chocolate "Kazakhstan"
Chocolate “Kazakhstan” from the confectionery factory “Rakhat” is the number one product that must be purchased as a souvenir when departing Kazakhstan. Almost no foreigner leaves Kazakhstan without this chocolate. The quality and taste of “Rakhat” sweets are well known within other Central Asian countries but for the western taste it is pretty much on the average side.
Kazakh Cognac
A bottle of local cognac with the name tag “Kazakhstan” is another very popular souvenir from Kazakhstan. The local Bacchus firm produces a popular drink on oak with half a century of aging. High-quality and inexpensive Kazakhstan cognac can be found in almost every corner shop in big cities and the rural areas alike. There are also the Farabi and Alexander cognacs called “Zhenis” and “Kakharman” that have a good reputation and are considered slightly more expensive and higher category drinks.
Kazakh Felt products
The harsh conditions of the steppes make the local sheep wool unique. Most of the Kazakh felt products felt is made from the wool that is shrinking and managed together by the proper conditions of underwater, heat, and pressure/agitation. This allows producing denser and durable material which can best serve for making felt toys, carpets, and clothes. It is also possible to find wool and felt products that are made from the camel wool of the Bactrian camels that are native to Kazakhstan.
Kamcha
Kamcha is a short national leather made whip for horses, made with the use of hooves or horns of roe deer. It is a short, thick whip with a round cross-section. Kamcha makes a perfect souvenir from Kazakhstan as they are often very nicely decorated with the local ornaments.
Kazakh Jewellery
Kazakh national style jewelry is another great option for a souvenir aimed for ladies. You can easily find inexpensive traditional Kazakh women’s jewelry like earrings, rings or hairpins for braids. In the past it was believed that the ringing of metal jewelry scared away the evil spirits.
Kazakh wood products
Popular woods for Kazakh wooden items are juniper, birch and cedar. Each of them have their own unique features that make them good raw materials for different wooden products. Some are beautiful in their grain and some are resistant to damage or decay. The birch bark is also used to create the traditional Kazakh baskets while cedar is used to create kitchen utensils that make a good and light weight souvenir.
Kazakhstan has also a culture of creating beautiful wooden boxes for storing small items, bowls for nuts and dried fruits and traditional figurines from different wood materials. All Kazakh wooden products can be found in traditional Kazakh bazars and shops in larger cities.
More about Central Asian cultures
Page updated 12.1.2023
