2 / 2001
Burkina Faso * Ladies' sandal with leather upper and rattan decoration
Until 1985 Burkina Faso was called Upper Volta. About 50 percent of the population belong to the Mossi people, who created above sandal by the end of the 19th century. Both the outsole and the insole consist of rawhide while the in between sole is made of Balsa wood. The upper is cut out of tanned leather, incised and pigmented. The cone shaped ornament on the upper as well as the sides of the sole are decorated with woven coloured rattan. Outsole, insole and upper are held together by straps of rawhide and tanned leather.
Research and text by : W.A.H.M. Habraken-Oosterhout-Holland
Illustration by : Colin Ball - Waalwijk - Holland