Koofi Barawe - Keeping the Baraawe hat-making tradition alive

On a recent afternoon in Mogadishu’s Waberi district, Faduma Jeylani Abdi sits on mat in her home, surrounded by bundles of colourful thread. Her hands are a blur of activity, her eyes are intensely focused. And yet her voice is calm and relaxed as her hands deftly maneuver a needle and threads to craft one of Somalia’s most iconic garments: a ‘koofi Baraawe,’ or Baraawe hat. The 59-year-old is a member of Somalia’s Baraawe community, long-known for its artisanal skills and expertise for producing the fine, hand-crafted headgear. “We are famous for three things that originate from Baraawe town: muufo Baraawe (bread), caano Baraawe (a traditional fudge) and the koofi Baraawe!” Ms Abdi says, as her hands dart smoothly and methodically across the still-forming hat in her lap. The headgear is a round, brimless cap with a flat crown, often standing out due to its colourful embroidery and intricate designs. Some versions have small holes in the cloth to allow air to circulate. A top-quality version can take up to 15 days to craft, depending on the time devoted to its production. Eng: https://untmis.unmissions.org/en/news...