Sharabaado

Sharabaado, also called sigiisyo, is short leg garment made from knitted or woven fabric, pulled onto the foot before shoes are fastened. It covers the sole of the foot, the underside, and the ankle; in some cases it extends to the lower shin or even higher.

Its primary functions are to reduce friction from shoes, to absorb moisture from the foot, and to keep the foot warm. It can also have a decorative element—colour, pattern, or design—as part of the overall clothing.

Construction and materials

Sharabaado is typically made from cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, or a combination of these materials. Elastic material such as elasticated fabric is sewn along the top edge to prevent slipping. Wool is used in cold climates, while cotton and moisture-absorbing blended fabrics are used in warm weather and sports.

Various lengths exist: some are hidden under shoes (no-show), some reach the ankle, some extend to below the knee, and longer versions reach mid-shin. There are also sharabaado with individual toes, and a type called tabi that covers the entire foot.

Brief history

Early peoples wrapped their feet in leather or skin; later came hand-loomed fabric. In later centuries, particularly after the development of mechanical knitting machines, factories were able to produce large quantities at lower cost. In the twentieth century, synthetic materials like nylon replaced the market, introducing lightweight sharabaado with greater elasticity.

Use and health

Clean sharabaado that are changed regularly reduce foot fungi, bacteria, and fungal diseases. People with diabetes (sonkorowga) are advised to wear soft sharabaado that do not constrict the foot severely, and to inspect the foot daily. There are also medical compression sharabaado designed to improve circulation in the leg.