Shopping in Musanze
Musanze offers a colorful selection of shops and markets for the interested tourist to explore. Prices are generally fairer in Musanze than in Kigali, simply because of the lack of tourists shopping in the former. Bartering is a common practice in Musanze, especially in the markets, but please be aware of anyone trying to sell you something for the “Muzungu” price. Merchants will try and up the price of anything a tourist might be interested in. However, prices are normally set and pretty fair in the cooperatives that support head of household women and children, or other vulnerable groups. Listed below is an approximate guideline of what the prices of various items found in Musanze should be.
Please see the Retail Shopping page in our business directory for further information.
Price Guideline: (595 RWF to the USD)
Banana Leaf Bag: 10,000 RWF ($16.80)
Banana Leaf Picture (8×11): 1,800 RWF ($3)
Banana Leaf Stationary: 150-250 RWF per card (25¢-41¢)
Bracelets:
Cow Horn: 1,500-2,000 RWF ($2.50-$3.50)
Leather: 1,500 RWF ($2.50)
Shell: 1,200-1,500 RWF ($2-$2.50)
Earrings:
Banana Leaf (small): 1,000 RWF ($1.70)
Banana Leaf (large): 1,500 RWF ($2.50)
Beaded: 1,500 RWF ($2.50)
Wooden: 1,500 RWF ($2.50)
Gorilla Statue (small): 2,500 RWF ($4.20)
Gourd (hollowed out): 8,500 RWF ($14.20)
Leather Key Chains: 1,500 RWF ($2.50)
Masks:
Small: 5,000 RWF ($8.35)
Large: 10,000 RWF ($16.70)
Necklaces:
Small: 2,000-2,500 RWF ($3.50-$4.20)
Large: 3,000 RWF ($5.00)
Patterned Fabric Bags:
Makeup style Bags: 5,000 RWF ($8.35)
Small: 7,500 RWF ($12.50)
Large: 13,000-15,000 RWF ($21.70-$25)
Peace Baskets:
Small: 2,000 RWF ($3.50)
Medium: 3,000-5,000 RWF ($5.00-$8.35)
Large: 7,500 RWF ($12.60)
Cylindrical Shape (small): 1,500-2,500 RWF ($2.50-$4.20)
Square (small): 3,000 RWF ($5.00)
Lidded Baskets:
Small: 3,500 RWF ($5.90)
Medium: 5,000 RWF ($8.35)
Large: 6,000 RWF ($10.10)
Rings:
Cow Horn: 1,200 RWF ($2.00)
Scarves: 2,500-3,000 RWF ($4.20-$5.00)
Shoes:
Leather: 3,000-5,000 RWF ($5.00-$8.35)
Banana Leaf: 3,000 RWF ($5.00)
Tire: 3,800 RWF ($6.40)
Fabrics
All fabrics are sold in “pieces”, rather than measured out into meters/yards. One piece, about 6ftx4ft or 183cmx122cm, usually makes a long skirt that you will see women wearing everyday paired with a t-shirt or sweater. The two and three-piece fabrics are just doubled and tripled in length.
One Piece: 2,500 RWF ($4.20)
Two Pieces: 5,000 RWF ($8.35)
Three Pieces: 7,500 RWF ($12.60)
An interesting fact about the fabric in Rwanda; you can test the quality of the fabric by licking it. If a fabric tastes salty then it is a poor quality fabric.
