These are a traditional peasant sandal called "Tsârvouli". They are also sometimes known as Bulgarian moccasins. I made these in two hours and to be honest, they are the easiest shoes I've ever tackled. They are also incredibly comfortable - better than my slippers.
Historically, these would be made by every peasant farmer for his family from whatever leather he could find. The originals would have been a single piece and would have worn out fairly quickly, but they are easy to make, use very little leather and can be quickly replaced. I added extra leather outer soles to make them last longer.
They were last used in Bulgarian rural areas in the 1940's when Russian 'influence' persuaded the country folk to buy shoes from the shoe factory. Nowadays they are just used by Bulgarian folk dancers. However, they use modern mass produced tsârvouli with rubber soles.
I made these for my trip to Bulgaria in June. There will be an opportunity to do some archery with a group of Bulgarian re-enactors, and also to do some work at a living craft museum while I am there. I'm going to try and persuade the whole party to make themselves a pair (I'm running a leather craft workshop anyway) so we can all get into kit for the archery event (shooting arrows from a medieval castle walls). We already have kirtles organised, but authentic footwear will make us look better (rather than trainers).
Anyway, here they are.
Eric
Historically, these would be made by every peasant farmer for his family from whatever leather he could find. The originals would have been a single piece and would have worn out fairly quickly, but they are easy to make, use very little leather and can be quickly replaced. I added extra leather outer soles to make them last longer.
They were last used in Bulgarian rural areas in the 1940's when Russian 'influence' persuaded the country folk to buy shoes from the shoe factory. Nowadays they are just used by Bulgarian folk dancers. However, they use modern mass produced tsârvouli with rubber soles.
I made these for my trip to Bulgaria in June. There will be an opportunity to do some archery with a group of Bulgarian re-enactors, and also to do some work at a living craft museum while I am there. I'm going to try and persuade the whole party to make themselves a pair (I'm running a leather craft workshop anyway) so we can all get into kit for the archery event (shooting arrows from a medieval castle walls). We already have kirtles organised, but authentic footwear will make us look better (rather than trainers).
Anyway, here they are.
Eric
