His Holiness the Dalai Lama's sandal on show

On show at the Bata Shoe Museum (Toronto) is be a pair of sandals once worn by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The well-worn rubber sandals made by Bata are currently on view in a special exhibition to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's three day trip to Toronto. Other exhibits include examples of Tibetan footwear from the Museum's collection. Boots were a traditional aspect of Tibetan dress for centuries and typically feature thick, strong soles covered with yak leather and high embroidered felt shafts held in place by colourful woven boot straps. Status was often reflected through footwear and ranged from the rhelzom worn by Lamas, Noblemen and Guru incarnates to the more popular sombhalam (for women). Other exhibits include the pumelam (shoes for men) and the reeson (shoes worn by the monks). The Tibetan exhibition will be on view until December 31, 2010.