The indigenous craftsmanship of the Koonbi and Mahir tribes, found mainly in Maharashtra, expresses the traditional thinking behind such leather shoes. These tribes are characterized by a culture of simplicity and directness. Everything they use-from tools to garments-are a matter of actual use, steeped in tradition. Leather has been the preferred material for these shoes thanks to its durability and availability.
The bifurcated curve design on the toe cap of these shoes is notable and could have functional, aesthetic, and perhaps even symbolic considerations for the tribespeople. Each shoe incorporates a strong leather sole, granting essential protection when negotiating rugged rural terrain. These shoes are more than functional artifacts; they demonstrate the changing interplay between tribal identity and utilitarian design. For generation after generation, while mainstream fashion exploited synthetic stuff, the handcrafted leather product says a lot about sustainable practice and cultural survival.