Tasufras are large leather sacks used by Berbers and Tuaregs in Northern Africa, specifically the Sahara desert. They were also used in the Canary Islands by herdsmen to carry objects or liquids. Although their size varies, a tasufra used by African nomads could be 1.5 m. (60 in.) long by 70 cm. (27 in.) wide. Tasufras are made from a single piece of goat, sheep of gazelle’s leather (the three bottom prongs of the bag are the remnants of the animal’s front legs and neck). The fabrication process lasts between 4 and 8 days, and is done exclusively by women. The most important part of it is the way of curing and waterproofing the leather: according to anthropologist Caro Baroja, the main ingredient is the bark of acacia trees, pressed by hand in a mortar into a fine red powder that is applied to the leather after it has been soaking in salty water for a day or two. The treatment of the leather is very complex, and includes exposure to the sunrays for drying; soaking in water; the application of an oil and tar mixture for waterproofing; and the careful removal of the animal’s hair. Tasufras are designed to carry personal objects –sometimes valuable items, food and liquids. In the desert, they are often used to store and carry milk and keep it from deteriorating during long harsh journeys. The ornament in the bag is the craftwoman’s creation and is never exactly duplicated.
