Mortar and Pestle
Maradi and particular the town of guidan roumdji, just to the northwest are widely thought by the locals to sell the best-crafted mortars and pestles in niger. most of them are quite large, used by women and girls in the country to grind flour by hand and in industrial quantities all day the deep thump-thump-thump of this activity is a constant ambient noise in villages; try it once and you'll develop an instant sympathy for them, but they sell smaller ones for crushing vegetables to make thick nigerien sauces. if you can find a small one and you have the space in your bag, they are actually worth getting; they are infinitely smarter in their design than the european-style ones you find in stores, and your experience with making guacamole might be changed forever.
Traditional Tuareg Handicrafts
At the artisanal center. the tuaregs and also the fulani are internationally known for the quality of their silver and their leatherwork; the center's store has a decent selection of highly distinctive silver or nickel rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings for both men and women. ask about the tuareg crosses; they are a common motif, and the story behind them is engaging. the leather briefcases and sandals are surprisingly sturdy, though rarely as comfortable or as practical as you would hope. if you want something truly specific and have space in your luggage, consider a tuareg camel saddle, sword, or wallet; these are all things you can spot the tuaregs around you actually wearing and using in their everyday life, and they typically exemplify the skill and the aesthetic of both the leatherwork and the metalwork. if you're wondering, this author brought tuareg swords through us customs in his checked bags on two different occasions; both times, the tsa searched the bags, but there were never problems.
Kola nut
If you want to sample niger's most distinctive vice, buy a kola nut. this famously caffeinated tree fruit was one of the early ingredients in coca-cola, and it's astoundingly bitter but has a kick that will cause you to never respect your morning coffee again. kola nuts typically break apart quite naturally into cloves, and many nigeriens that socially chew goro, as it's known, typically buy only one and share. dare to eat a whole one only in the early morning, or before your trans-atlantic flight. unlike street food, kola nuts are not washed; take it with you and wash it carefullyideally with a little bleach in the water or at least peel it not as foolproof before you eat it. the flesh has an interesting tendency to turn orange when exposed to air. kola nuts are a very traditional gift for invited guests at weddings and baptisms.