At Disney s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests on a gift safari venture into a realm where each treasure and trinket tells a tale in a fusion of vibrant colors and bold textures. Zawadi Marketplace, the signature retail shop at Disney s newest deluxe resort, opening April 2001, celebrates the romantic and adventuresome spirit of Africa through the stories and cultures represented in its merchandise. At nearly 6,000 square feet, Zawadi Marketplace will be among the largest retail shops at Walt Disney World Resort.
Guests also can watch as a native artisan perfects crafts amid the rich, dynamic showcase of wares.
The centuries-old art of basket weaving is passed traditionally from mother to child. The weaver becomes the narrator. Each pattern woven into the basket symbolizes a certain life stage and social status. Whether the textile s patterns reflect the love of a family or the heroism of a tribal chief, each textile bears a unique story. Hand-carved masks, a significant part of a tribe s religious and cultural life.