Most of the handicrafts found on Pulau Weh are made from the coconut palm. The industry is still small and it is not until the last few years that the people of Pulau Weh have come to understand that their art actually is appreciated. Almost no marketing has ever been done to promote it and as a visitor to Pulau Weh one almost has to search for it.

What you probably will see in Iboih and Gapang are very beautiful necklaces and earrings made out of coconut shell, often combined with seashells. There are a handful of guys making these at home and selling them directly to foreign visitors. Recommended!

The government organization Dekranas support local efforts and has a small showroom (see town map).

In Ujung Kareung on the east coast (see map) is a small factory making handicrafts of wood from the coconut tree. There you can also see the how they work. Several women make embroidery at home. The shop Toko Sabang, Tel: 0652-21140, next to PUM Losmen sells souvenirs, mainly Acehnese embroidery from the mainland.

The most popular souvenir from Aceh is however the classic Acehnese dagger, the Rencong, famous from Acehnese wars. Today the Rencong mainly functions is as a detail in the traditional dress. The blade is made out of steel or brass and the hilts and scabbards are normally made of ivory, wood, or buffalo horn. Even silver or gold is sometimes used. The shape of the Rencong is said to be derived from the Arabic "Bismillah irrahman irrahim" (in the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate). The best Rencongs can be found in Banda Aceh.