Iraq’s shoemakers revive their ancient craft

In the constrictive alleys of Old Mosul, erstwhile the arrogant bosom of Iraq’s shoemaking industry, the workshops are coming live again.

After years of struggle and destruction, artisans similar 58-year-old Saad Abdul Aal are reviving a contented that dates backmost much than 1,000 years.

Shoemaking successful Iraq, known arsenic al-qandarjiya, flourished during the Abbasid Caliphate, erstwhile Baghdad was a planetary hub of commercialized and culture.

Generations of families devoted their lives to transforming rawhide into durable footwear, their skills handed down from maestro to apprentice.

Before the war, the superior metropolis of Baghdad had much than 250 factories, portion Mosul boasted implicit 50. Iraqi-made shoes were prized for their elegance and resilience – a awesome of nationalist pride.

“Our enactment began much than 40 years ago,” says Abdul Aal, his hands speedy and dependable arsenic helium trims a portion of leather. “I learned the profession, fell successful emotion with it, and ne'er near it.”

That arrogant contented astir disappeared successful 2014, erstwhile ISIL (ISIS) seized Mosul. Workshops and factories were bombed, looted, oregon abandoned.

Abdul Aal mislaid everything – his equipment, his shop, his workers. “Bombings, destruction,” helium recalls. “There was nary wealth adjacent to see starting again.”

After returning to Mosul, Abdul Aal recovered his store destroyed [File: International Organization for Migration]

By the extremity of the war, Mosul’s 50 factories had dwindled to less than 10. Thousands of shoemakers were near unemployed, their skills astatine hazard of vanishing.

The turning constituent came with the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM’s) Enterprise Development Fund-Tameer, which provided grants and grooming to displaced entrepreneurs and returnees.

For Abdul Aal, this was an accidental to bargain sewing and pressing machines, reopen his workshop, and prosecute staff.

“It’s not easy, but small by small we are moving forward,” helium says.

Today, Abdul Aal produces astir 4 pairs of shoes a time – less than before, but capable to support his concern alive. Competition from inexpensive imports is fierce, but helium insists Iraqi craftsmanship inactive has an edge.

“Our shoes are genuine leather; they last. Imported shoes whitethorn look visually appealing, but they deficiency quality.

“In contrast, the shoes produced successful my mill are visually akin to imported shoes but connection superior quality.

“That is what makes america proud.”