Since motorbikes replaced horses as the primary means of transport in Burkina Faso, demand for horse reins has fallen sharply. But the Gakou family in the north of the country is keeping the tradition alive. […]
Month: December 2011
Curing a goat skin the traditional way
Goats are prolific across the Sahel, and when they are eaten, nothing is wasted. The skins are perfect for craftwork such as braiding. This article explains the process by which goat skin becomes leather. […]
Making a set of tassled horse reins
Tassles are an important part of traditional Fulani reins. They are swung in the air to make the horse go faster. They are also an important part of some of our SAHEL bags. This article explains how the tassles are made. […]
Making a traditional leather girth
As the means of securing a saddle to the horse, a girth strap needs to be strong and durable – which means that they also make great handles for our SAHEL totes. This article explains how these girth straps are made. […]
Making traditional stirrup leathers
Unlike European stirrup leathers, Fulani stirrup leathers are multi-stranded and wound to suit the length of the rider. The Gakou family in the north of Burkina Faso have been making stirrup leathers for centuries. Here is how they do it. […]