Souvenirs of Kamchatka

Kamchatka is one of the most amazing places on the planet: incredible valleys, smoking volcanoes, lakes and nature reserves. It is not easy to get to the peninsula from the European part of Russia, so the souvenirs brought will not only be a pleasant reminder of an interesting journey, but will also be great gifts for family and friends. And we tell you about what you can bring in our article.

Ethnic souvenirs

Of course, these are national handmade products made of wood from indigenous peoples of the Far East.

Raven Cuth

The Raven Kutkh is considered the guardian of Kamchatka and its main symbol. It can be found in almost any souvenir shop, museum or exhibition. It is usually carved from alder, and then decorated with moss, beads or deer fur.

Pelican

A smiling Billiken with a round belly is an Eskimo and Chukchi mascot. Traditionally, it was carved from walrus tusk, but you can often find samples made of wood or clay. It is also often decorated with fur or beads. The Billiken is a talisman of the hearth, which brings good luck, joy and well-being.

Decorative items

Kamchatka craftsmen make beautiful jewelry boxes, decorative panels, knife handles, masks, pens, key rings and household items made of wood. As a rule, they depict volcanoes, bears or fish and crabs – all that is part of the nature of Kamchatka. On the shelves of shops you can find deer antlers and walrus tusks, as well as jewelry made of solidified lava or obsidian – glass made of solidified lava.

Of particular value are objects made in the technique of bone carving, inherent in the peoples of Kamchatka. Here it is worth paying attention to statuettes and interior items carved from walrus tusks, deer horns and bear teeth.

National clothes

The traditional clothing of the indigenous peoples of Kamchatka is designed to keep warm in any weather, while it was comfortable to engage in traditional crafts: reindeer herding, fishing or sea hunting. Such clothes are made of fur and deer skins, and decorated with beautiful embroidery and beads on top.

Male's Malakhai

It is worth paying attention to men's fur shirts with a hood (kukhlyanki), which are complemented by trousers made of deer fur and mittens, hats and boots. 

Women's Gagaglya

Gagaglya is a traditional women's fur shirt, which is longer than a man's shirt. It is additionally customary to decorate it with a fringe of straps, pendants made of fur and beads.

Accessories

If you do not plan to carry large enough outerwear, you should look at handbags, purses and other accessories that are made of multicolored leather and with the already familiar traditional jewelry made of colored beads, mink or fox fur.

Merch

It is difficult to walk in traditional clothes, but you can buy modern T-shirts, hoodies, longsleeves, baseball caps and bags with beautiful inscriptions symbolizing Kamchatka. Such souvenirs will always be welcome.

Food and teas

Delicacies

Kamchatka is known for its seafood delicacies: red fish, caviar, crab meat, smoked and dried fish. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to take these "delicious" souvenirs with you without special packaging.

Jams and berries

In Kamchatka, you should pay attention to jams made from cloudberries, honeysuckle, cranberries, watermelons and redberries. Any of them can be easily taken with you. Or just buy all kinds of fresh or dried berries.

Herbs and teas

The unique nature of the peninsula is also rich in herbs, from which herbal or herbal teas are made. They can be found on the shelves in beautiful gift packages.

Traditional souvenirs

Tambourines

No holiday of the indigenous peoples of Kamchatka is complete without tambourines. Religious rituals of summoning spirits were held under bright sounds. But the tambourines themselves were made of deer skin, which were painted with various traditional ornaments and patterns.

Shamanic masks

Shamanic masks were another important attribute of the holidays and rituals of the small peoples of Kamchatka. As a rule, they were carved from alder, symbolizing the images of the gods. In the days between holidays, masks were hung in houses as amulets.

Now you know about the most interesting souvenirs of Kamchatka. Of course, do not forget about the more familiar options — these are paintings by local artists, books, postcards and magnets. And remember, it is not so much the souvenir itself that is important, as the impressions of a wonderful trip.