Famous Weapon in history is threatened to become extinct

The Egyptian clog that was famous in the fifties era is now threatened to become extinct.

The clog or wooden slippers plays a prominent role in Egyptian popular culture, it is associated with the era of Mamluks and Queen Shajar al-Durr, who presumably got killed by being beaten with it.

In the past, the clog was a symbol of spoil and luxury at a time when the shoe was the most used among Egyptians, especially the simple ones for its many advantages. The sound of the clogs is almost gone now, as it’s facing the threat of extinction.

The clog is best prescribed for people who have foot allergies, also it’s best for diabetes patients who are longing to rest their feet on a cold ground as the clog is cold in summer and warm in winter. It does not cause any skin cracks and it’s very comfortable in moving around and finishing errands in the house.

Men used to wear it to avoid stepping in mud during winter but the only inconvenient thing about the clog is the sound that it makes.

In one of the alleys of Old Cairo, in the Ghoria area, you can find the workshop of a 70-year-old man called Am Abdul Azim Mohamed who has been working in the clog industry for 20 years. He is one of the last people who have been working in this industry.

Am Abdul Azim was a boy when he first learned carpentry in general then later he started working in making clogs and it became his main profession.

Am Abdul Azim makes the clog from scratch, which begins by cutting pieces of wood of all sizes, then cutting pieces of leather or “rubber” and putting them on the wood. It doesn’t take a lot of time to manufacture a clog.

Regarding the extinction of the profession, Abdul Azim confirmed that there is no one who is going to inherit it after the current craftsmen. After their death, this profession will be lost.