Studying abroad can be boring if one has nothing to relate to their shopping tendencies! Sudan is a great place for shopaholics and offers you nothing less than the beauty of shopping has to offer itself! Like in most North African countries, the best places to buy anything are the local markets, called souks. Here, you will find every product imaginable, from painstakingly crafted souvenirs to animal skins. Certain products are native to the Sudanese and should therefore not be passed on, such as grass and straw products, carved wooden statues and masks, copper and brass utensils, silver and gold jewelry, and perhaps most popular, semi-precious stones like amber.
Haggling and bargaining are normal practice in all markets across Sudan. Visitors should remember to bargain in the spirit of humor as most traders are not intent on ripping customers off. Patrons who bargain kindly and with a smile are usually the ones who get the best offers. There’re many popular souks in different regions but there are a few that are more popular than others here. These markets include the Omdurman market, Afra Shopping mall in Khartoum, Gamhouia Avenue in Khartoum, and the trendy new Khartoum Two area.
They're also a few ventures which work towards raising money for good causes. One such venture is the Women's Co-operative in Khartoum. Sudanese women make traditional handicrafts like crochet garments, local outfits, reed baskets, and crockery made from gourds and calabashes. All of the profits go toward empowering women in the local communities and thus uplifting the societies as a whole. Buying from these is viewed as an act of support that value addition!
Foreigners looking for something a bit more refined can always head to the newly developed shopping malls in the country. For a long time, there were no shopping malls in Sudan, only a few grocery stores or niche enterprises. Today, however, there’re malls like Afra (the first shopping mall in the country) and a few others in Sudan’s major cities. Visitors should keep in mind that prices are higher in the malls where haggling is not the norm. The prices here are fixed and reasonably justifiable!
Along with plenty of shopping, the Afra Mall has a bowling alley, a movie theater, and Turkish food outlets. It does not compare to malls in Europe or the Gulf of course, but it does provide one-stop shopping for locals and foreigners. Home Care, the most exclusive shop in Khartoum, sells electronic equipment, decorations, gifts, textiles, kitchen items, and pretty much everything for the keep. The small and expensive Fantasia Book Store may be the only place in the city where you can buy an accurate map of the area. Small vendors of every type line most streets in the capital city. Many of these sell fruits and vegetables, as well as items for the home, and souvenirs.
When shopping in the local markets, feel free to bargain. If you want to get an idea of how much you should be paying, visit the state-run craft markets, which have steady rates. Shops here are mostly open from 8:00 a.m. to non and from 2:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m on weekdays. Most are closed at least once a week, usually on Fridays, but you will still find something open every day of the week. Carry your bag and go shop in the Sudanese without any fear or fret, we've got your back covered at RocApply.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
