10 / 2000
Qatar * Shepherd's "zarabil" with goat leather upper
Qatar is a small, independent emirate at the Arabian Gulf seaside in the east of the Arabian peninsula. The country is rich in oil and gas reserves. Its surface area is only one sixth of the Benelux area with about half a million inhabitants who are mainly active in fishery, agriculture and cattle breeding. In relation to the topography of the Arabian peninsula, Qatar belongs to the eastern regon for tribal locations. It borders on the central "najd" region where the "zarabil" or "basic three piece shoe" (front and back quarter and sole) is believed to have originated. For men, women and children, this shoe was standard. The sole consisted of several layers of leather joined tightly together with small stitches that cover the entire section, which is then hand sewn to the two upper pieces.
Research and text by : W.A.H.M. Habraken-Oosterhout-Holland
Illustration by : Colin Ball - Waalwijk - Holland