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Nigeria * Fulbe-Hausa ceremonial sandal
with ostrich feathers
The Hausa people are renowned for their leatherwork, which is
very colourful and skilfully made. It is traded all over West
Africa. In Nigeria the majority of the people are Hausa, however
the leading aristocracy is formed by the Fulani or Fulbe people.
Above sandal is created by Hausa craftsmen for special occasions
like a Fulbe wedding. The soles are about one inch wider than
the foot to prevent sinking into the desert sand, much like the
snowshoes are used by the Inuit people of Alaska for walking on
snow. The Y-string upper is entirely covered by ostrich feathers
sandwiched in a circle between two riveted leather patches. Tendons
and coloured strips of leather are used to decorate the soles
together with blue, red and black pigments.
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