Paboo/ Paabu Making of Ladakh

The desire to keep feet warm during winter months is fulfilled by paboos, the name given to the shoe of the area. Unlike leather shoes, the paboos afford protection against frost bite in snow or in very cold weather. The paboos are made of hessian cloth, used wool felt, coarse yak hair of and hair of the pashmina goat, and thigma. Leather is used for sole- making, while the hessian cloth and woollen felt are stitched together to make the base of the shoe. The coarse hair spun into thin rope is stitched together with the help of needle and used to make the sides of the shoe.

Products ranging from Paabu, Kir-paabu, Thigma-paabu, boots worn by monks during ritual dances etc are made under this craft. Tools needed for the process are needle.