Today traditional clothing articles are becoming hot fashion on the streets of Nairobi and beyond. Items such as the Kikoy, Khanga and leso are now being woven into fine dress for the whole family. One item that is also being refashioned into modern day designs is the Maasai sandal. I visited Olepolos some 50Km from the Kenyan capital to learn a bit more about the history of the East African sandal more commonly know as Akala.
So how did the Akala come to be?
For the survival of the ancient Maa people cattle and the savannah was and still remains to be a life line. Every tool, article or utensil used by the Maasai came from the wild and could be easily returned to it.
The making of this sandal usually began at the end of a buffalo’s life. Long ago when young herds boys were out grazing their families cattle the hunt would begin. Cattle are intimately one with Maasai culture and they mix well with wild buffalo too. By herding together all the cattle with buffalo it becomes easy to approach the two tone beasts with ease. One lethal strike between the ribs can spear the heart and the buffalo falls. Hide from cattle, sheep and goat could be used to make clothing articles; however the tensile strength of dry buffalo skin meant it could be put to more durable uses.
Once the pelt is removed it was then fashioned into a number of items, one of these being Akalas. A rectangular chunk is cut out and then three holes are punctured through the raw hide. Since buffalo hide is so tough, it is often rubbed down with animal fat to soften it. With strips that have been treated it is easier to make the sandal straps that secure sole to foot. The same strips can then be used severally to make ropes for carrying firewood and so on.
When broken into the hide dries and ensures protection of the wearer, so much so that the same hide is used to make traditional shields for Maasai Morans (Warriors). At a time when the earth gave plenty it was not difficult to put the entire community in quality footwear. Recent times have seen a lesser dependency on the buffalo for it’s’ hide.
The protection of animals in the wild against poaching and unnatural death has seen the move from animal hide to tire treads for Akala production. With such a malleable medium there is no limit to the variations in design, size and comfort. Beaded straps and cushioned soles are just some of modifications to the original Akala. These sandals last and tell a story in the process. I know there’s a pair for you somewhere, so take a look, buy a pair at www.sokomaasai and and journey kenya in Maasai soles!
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