Lebanese hat maker keeps ancient skill alive - in pictures

  • Hat maker Youssef Akiki inspects traditional labbadeh hats at his workshop. All photos: AFP
    Hat maker Youssef Akiki inspects traditional labbadeh hats at his workshop. All photos: AFP
  • Akiki works in the mountain village of Hrajel in Keserwan-Jbeil province, high in Lebanon's rugged mountains
    Akiki works in the mountain village of Hrajel in Keserwan-Jbeil province, high in Lebanon's rugged mountains
  • Akiki is one of the last craftsmen practising the 1,000-year-old art of making wool caps
    Akiki is one of the last craftsmen practising the 1,000-year-old art of making wool caps
  • Akiki grabs handfuls of sun-dried sheep's wool from his stock to be shaped into hats
    Akiki grabs handfuls of sun-dried sheep's wool from his stock to be shaped into hats
  • The ancient process transforms the wool into a felt-like fabric
    The ancient process transforms the wool into a felt-like fabric
  • Akiki cleaning and processing wool
    Akiki cleaning and processing wool
  • The process is labour intensive and Akiki says he can make 'three labbadehs in one day, at most'
    The process is labour intensive and Akiki says he can make 'three labbadehs in one day, at most'
  • Preparing to shape a traditional labbadeh hat using olive soap
    Preparing to shape a traditional labbadeh hat using olive soap
  • Akiki uses Aleppo soap, which includes olive oil and laurel leaf extracts
    Akiki uses Aleppo soap, which includes olive oil and laurel leaf extracts
  • Akiki shaping a hat
    Akiki shaping a hat
  • Although the hats are practical and warm, few people wear them today
    Although the hats are practical and warm, few people wear them today
  • The hats are more often bought by tourists or Lebanese people nostalgic for times past
    The hats are more often bought by tourists or Lebanese people nostalgic for times past
  • The hats come in off-white, grey, brown or black
    The hats come in off-white, grey, brown or black
  • Akiki and members of his family. He hopes to keep the hat-making tradition alive by teaching his nephews
    Akiki and members of his family. He hopes to keep the hat-making tradition alive by teaching his nephews