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.
Industries Based on Palm
Products 