Albarcas Cantabra Shoe making in Spain
Country of the crafting: Spain
Region of the crafting: Cantabria
Type of the crafting: Wood
1. Geographic area
The Cantabrian apricot is a rustic wooden footwear of a piece, which has been used especially by the peasantry of Cantabria, in Spain. This apricot is similar to the other models in other Spanish regions, but it has significant features and distinct characteristics both in its elaboration and in its use. This type of footwear also bears some similarity with the Dutch clog.
2. Craft characteristics
Title: Cantabrian apricots Category: Wood Country: Cantabria, Spain Provided by: UMA Source: internet
3. The technique
During the seasons in which the farm workers were less important, the apricot trees climbed the mountains and there they cut and prepared wood for the manufacture of the apricots. They used to go during the months of spring and autumn, when they finished the workings of tillage and the collection of the grass. the duration of the stay was conditioned by several reasons, but, in particular, by the weather, such as temporary and snowfall. They used to go to the mountain in gangs and their stay could be one, two or more weeks. When they were more than a week, he was going to find, which was to go up to a certain place, carrying a donkey to transport clean clothes to move and spare food and, also, to lower the pairs of apricots they had prepared and put in the sacks the apricot trees used to completely finish the apricots at home, with the frequent collaboration of the other family members.
4. Used materials
The utensils that used to take to the mount were several, but they tried to transport the essential thing, not to gather much weight. With tools and food, they also needed a can for water, the pot to cook the food, the grill for the corn cake, a kitchen or masera to knead the flour and an oil lamp or a carbide light to work at night when the days were short.
5. History
Given the humidity of the climate of the Area , it is a very appropriate footwear to preserve the feet of the water and dirt of the soil of certain tasks that are carried out in the stable, in the meadows and in the farmland. It is practical for walking on rough terrain, suburbs, and also on snow, because the “targos” or lower heels give rise to the foot and provide agility when walking. Today, this traditional craftsmanship has remained in a few apricot trees, which only make apricots on request, sometimes destined for use and sometimes as a typical souvenir of the Cantabrian region, the same in natural size as in small format.
