In addition to the souk of the “Bradia,” saddle makers, formerly located at the Gate of Tunis (today the locale for mattress sellers), or the souk of the “serrajine” or “sekkajine,” next to the “d’el blaghjia,” which specializes in the art of embroidered reins in the fashion of Mokhtar ben Hamouda Saddam, Kairouanese leather workers are famous for their craftsmanship (“verniz”). They work with sheep skin and goat skin, fashioning sandals, bags, attaché cases and school bags, belts, wallets, shoes, (“stouch,” “balgha,” and “kontra”), as well as divers other utilitarian objects, all much fancied by everyone.

Three souks, “blaghjia,” “elloutani-elouestani,” and “lemmajel” house master shoemakers specializing in traditional leather slippers. A flourishing corporation in by-gone times, these shoemakers owned sixty shops, one next to the other. Today the art is experiencing a renaissance with the development of the tourist industry and a renewed respect for traditional Tunisian dress.

“Konteret Saffar” is today a legend among the makers of kontra. Having ordered “bezzero” kontra with elegantly finished edges from the leaders of the craft (Am Salah Kaabi is he current amine or head of the corporation), he inspired hordes of other customers to imitate him in asking for similar products made by Tahar Saffar, the most accomplished artisan in the area of leather work.

In this context, let us not forget other leather talented artisans such as Am Rehayem KHADRAOUI, Abdelwaheb JAOUAHDOU, Hmida ALOUINI, Mohamed et Habib EL KAMEL, Mohamed KHELAIEF, Ali BARRAK et Bouraoui JEDARMI, Hedhili JAIT, Mohamed BEN YAHIA, Mohamed et Habib ESSID, Hedi et Abdelmajid BELLARA, Hassen Taieb et Béchir ACHOUR, Mohamed KRII, Ali METJAOUEL, Brahim et Habib ALOUINI, Mohamed ZEGUAYA, Mahmoud et Mohamed NAJAR and so many others.

Amimi (Si Abdellatif ben Sallem), whose shop is contiguous to Barrouta, also excels in the craftsmanship of “kontra.” His wares are much appreciated by both Tunisians and tourists. Where the “balgha,” a traditional shoe worn by men, is in perfect harmony with the “blonza,” the lightweight and beautiful “kontra” (completely ecologically sound) is the necessary accessory for “jebba” (see following page), and the “Golf seroual” (see following page), both worn especially in the summer. Women often sport beautifully embroidered “babouches,” or mules.

Last but not least, Tunisia is also the scene of “Michelin” sandals, made from old automobile tires. That tough but comfortable footwear, remembered by everyone from the hippie generation, becomes fashionable again every summer.

Varieties :

• Sabbat (shoes)
• Bachmak (lightweight men’s shoes)
• Rihia (lightweight shoes for women)
• Gazma (boots worn by riders and, in the past, by government officials)
• Babouche (flat traditional footwear, lightweight with a pointed toe, lacking a heel)
• Chiaka (a sort of mule or flip-flop, worn in summer)
• Galgha (traditional leather shoe, flat and long-soled, featuring a pointed toe and no heel).

Mohamed Rebai
info@kairouan.org