Khussa Ornamentation in Multān

Multān specializes in the making of traditional footwear called khussa. A khussa is a leather shoe usually embroidered on the upper side. The toe of the khussa is round. The design of the embroidery is traced by cut paper to be later embellished by craftsmen in factories and workshops or women in villages who can do embroidery on khussa. Khussas having filigree patterns have embroidery done with a metallic thread called ṫilla on specifically red, black, or skin-colored leather. The origin of shoes is difficult to be traced however it is evident that man invented shoes to protect himself from threats caused by natural elements i.e. weather, climate, and rough surfaces. The shoe has been a protector of human feet for centuries. This paper will explore the types and varieties of Khussa’s in Multan.