Lêkê
Lêkê are a type of plastic sandals popular in Ivory Coast, including as footwear for amateur soccer games.[1][2][3]
Lêkê are considered the national shoes of Ivory Coast, worn by people of all ages, including school children and adults.[1] Amateur soccer players wear lêkê for their practicality on sandy pitches and dusty surfaces, citing their lightness, better fit, and comfort.[1] The popularity of lêkê in Ivory Coast extends beyond sports, being worn at parties and other social events.[1]
Economics
[edit]While luxury brands like Gucci and Prada have created their own versions of jelly shoes, lêkê remain popular in Ivory Coast for both stylistic and practical reasons.[1][4]
Lêkê are affordable, with local manufacturing making them widely available from street vendors for about $1.50.[1][4] The sandals need frequent replacement due to strap breakage, but their low cost and ready availability ameliorate the process.[1]
History
[edit]The origins of the lêkê date back to 1946 when a French knifemaker invented the original model using surplus plastic.[1] In the 1980s, they were worn by those with limited financial means, particularly associated with the zouglou music culture.[2][4] They have since been sold in Ivorian markets for 30 to 40 years, resisting the global popularity of flip-flops.[2][4]
Culture
[edit]In Ivory Coast, lêkê are not only worn for soccer but also represent a cultural symbol, with specific colors associated with national pride.[1] Sales of Ivorian flag-colored lêkê sandals increased during the Africa Cup of Nations, but they saw a decline after the national team faced losses.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Peltier, Elian; Silva, Joao (2024-02-07). "Playing Soccer in $1.50 Sandals That Even Gucci Wants to Copy". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b c Africanews, Rédaction (2023-09-19). "The "lêkê", poor man's shoes that have become a symbol of Ivorian culture". Africanews. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ "I.Coast's 'leke' sandals for the masses become fashion statement". RFI. 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b c d "Ivory Coast's 'leke' Sandals For The Masses Become A Fashion Statement". Forbes India. Retrieved 2024-02-08.