Damascene Sabot (2)

history of the profession in Damascus

Damascene sabots have a market carrying its own name “Souk Alkabakib”  (sabots souk); which  goes along the Umayyad Mosque south wall extending from the west to the east of “Alkaofen Souk” next to old jewelers market,  but most of those shops have changed their profession today.

Regarding the history of the Damascene sabot fabrication at Souk Alkabakib,  Abu bashir,  the owner of a shop in the Silk souk says: “the history of this profession is very old. I remember the Silk souk about twenty years ago which had more than thirty shops dedicated to the manufacturing and sale of  sabots,  but today there is only one place Abdullah Siala, one of the oldest manufacturers of sabot, .” as he pointed to a close place. Then he added “there are still some stores to sell them,  but the manufacturers number is getting smaller with shoes industry progress, another  reason is the death of old manufacturers, whose sons are more going toward careers related to high education or modern specializations.  If big shoe making companies are not going to protect this craft it will be threatened by extinction.”

Ms. Jacqueline makhlouf one of the customers in the market said: “I and my brothers are still  using sabots in the house,  but I buy sabots with plastic bottoms because the civilian life imposes itself and we do not want to disturb our neighbors when climbing stairs, as traditional sabots make annoying sounds.  I can assure that the sabot is more comfortable than plastic slipper,  as it is recommended for those with sensitive feet or for diabetes patients, who are eager to put their feet on the cooling sabot since it is cold in summer and warm in winter”.

Mr. Elias shaker the owner of a shoes store explains the reasons behind sabot demise at present time saying: “There is no doubt that the nature of daily life has affected the sabot usage. The nature of housing have changed to small apartment with thin walls instead of Arab houses;  as sabots make noises the matter that prompt people to replace them with elastic bottom shoes that does not make noises to disturb neighbors”. Mr. Elias continues saying: “Today the use of sabot is no longer popular but in only a few popular washrooms and among foreign tourists who love the purchase of traditional souvenirs.  Therefore a new type of sabots have been manufactured as decoration items to hang on walls.  These sabots have carved drawings, with bright colors. There is a belief in Syria that attaching a small sabot to the car bottom back brings blessing and keeps the bad luck away from the car and its owner.”

Today sabots have left our feet and memory, but this beautiful historic market would not be erased from the minds of Damascus sons,  it was and is still forming a small section of souk Alhamedia, which pulls us to the charm of the past. Today when we go through it from the old jewelers market to the beautiful traditional Aleneufarha café,  we look with sadness and sorrow to the outgrowth of this historical market condition. 

Haifaa Mafalani