Historic Background

Traditional Industries  |  Roman Arch (Tripoli)

  • Traditional Industries
Traditional Industries represent an aspect of civilization, or rather its first means for expression of culture and originality of the society. Traditional industries emanate from local environment and closely connected therewith. They have been taken as craft and source of sustenance for many individuals of the society. They are also distinguished by being civilization heritage, embodying life aspects and civilization stages for any society arising therein. They express various aspects of life in the forms, drawings / painting, decoration and models depicted in the products of traditional industries, as inspired from the environment and its civilization and historical nature. They sometimes represent Jihad / struggle battles, as well as expressing the behavior of the society from which innovating talents emanated. In other cases, they appear in artistic painting, occupying a prominent place in the desires of people due to their charming beauty. Thesis depicted in traditional industrial products on stone / rocks or pottery or engraved on wood, leather, metals, etc.

The traditional industries in Libya are diversified to include the following:

Leather Industries:

Ghademes City is famous for this type of industries, thus gaining one of its old names (The city of Leather ). Skins / leather is usually used for making shoes. The craftsmen thereof produce types of ordinary and embroidered shoes with silk, known by many names such as Telec, Tabla (Drum) shoes, Nalut and Arab shoes, and Sandals, in addition to other local names. Each type thereof has distinctive colour, shave or decoration, and used on well-known occasions. The craftsmen also produce other leather industries such as bags / suitcases, belts saddles, etc.

Industries Based on Palm Products

The industries based on palm products are considered among the most important traditional industries, especially in desert oases in the Libyan South, as produced by both men and women. These industries are diversified to include dishes of the various kinds (cover, keeping, storage and measurement dishes, baskets and palm-leave fans. Women usually make perfectly such products of various kinds and sizes with drawings and numerous beautiful decorations.

Wool and Hair Industries

These depend on Local raw materials by using single primary machines. Women also produces kinds of wooden and hair fabrics such floor covers / rags, carpets, blankets, pillows and local clothiers, as well as silk fabrics.

Iron Industries

Ghat and Ghadames represent the most famous areas in Libya for this kind of traditional industries, basically represented in making swords / daggers / knives, axes and agricultural tools, etc.