Giummarre – traditional woven baskets from the Agrigento area in Agrigento

Giummarre belong to the material culture of agricultural Sicily and reflect the close relationship between farm work and the natural environment. For generations they were everyday tools in the countryside around Agrigento, used to collect almonds, olives, figs, and vegetables. Their cultural value lies in the practical knowledge of local plant fibers and in weaving techniques passed down through direct learning between artisans. Objects like these document a rural economy based on simple materials and manual production tied closely to the land. Even today they evoke a landscape of almond groves, olive orchards, and small rural markets.

They can be found in local markets and artisan shops in the city of Agrigento and in towns of the inland area. Some shops near the Valley of the Temples and in the historic center sell baskets made by artisans from the province. During craft fairs, rural festivals, and events dedicated to Sicilian agricultural products, it is common to meet weavers who display and sometimes work the fibers on site. In the small farmers’ markets of the Agrigento area, these baskets can still occasionally be seen used to transport produce.

15–60 € circa, a seconda delle dimensioni e della finezza dell’intreccio

A giummarra is a particularly interesting souvenir because it began as a genuine working object rather than something created for tourists. Taking one home means preserving a fragment of the farming culture that shaped the landscape around the Valley of the Temples and the countryside of Agrigento. It is also useful in everyday life: it can become a basket for bread, fruit, magazines, or kitchen herbs. Those who appreciate natural design or traditional craftsmanship will value the simplicity of its shape and the logic of its weaving, conceived above all for functionality. It is also light, durable, and easy to carry in a suitcase, making it a tangible reminder of the region beyond its most famous monuments.