Sandals (Museum Accession Number R6100/3)
This pair of sandals are made with leather uppers and rubber soles. They are a classic style of sandal that feature soles made from recyled car tyres; these smart sandals are often bought by tourists. In Kenya, and many other countries in Africa, the practice of making leather sandals has a very long history. Since the arrival of cars, makers have adapted their leather working skills and utilised the rubber from car tyres. People found that the rubber made a comfortable hard wearing shoe sole, especially good when walking long distances, and they remain very popular. Collected in by Tony Kalume in Kenya for the Fashioning African project.
Creator: unknown
Place: Kenya, East Africa, Africa
Date: 2018
Street stall in Kenya selling sandals made of car tyres, the particular type of sandals purchased are mainly for the tourist market, but car tyre sandals are also worn by Kenyans. 2018. © and image courtesy of Tony Kalume.