Nigeria ✓ Verified craft Tanning and leatherwork
Kano leatherwork
Tanned and dyed goat leather from the historic tanneries of Kano, made into bags and cushions.
Goat skinLeather Hand finishingEmbroidery
Kano has exported leather for centuries. 'Morocco leather' may have originated partly from Hausa tanneries in Sokoto, Katsina and Kano, through trans-Saharan trade networks. Tanners use natural tanning agents (bagaruwa pods), and leatherworkers cut, dye and embroider the hides.
Connections to other crafts
2 parallels · written by the consortium Kano leatherwork Bendir
Thematic parallel · share: Goat skin preparation
Both depend on the quality of goat skin and traditional preparation methods.
Kano leatherwork Maasai beadwork
Thematic parallel · share: Leather as a base material
Both use leather as a support for decoration and everyday objects.
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