The Flip-Flop Tale of Hawai Chappals
You wear them every day — but where did chappals come from? This episode takes a light-hearted but well-researched journey across time and continents to uncover the 15,000-year history of the slipper. From prehistoric Spain to dynastic China, from ancient Egypt’s leather soles to Japan’s zori and geta, the story of footwear is more global than you’d imagine.
The hosts travel through history, unearthing stories of embroidered sandals in China, toe-post designs in Egypt, and how Japanese slippers helped rebuild the nation’s economy after World War II.
The rubber used in Hawai chappals, we learn, was originally sourced from Hawaiian islands, giving the slipper its now-familiar name. And did you know that the word chappal comes from the Hindi chap — the imprint left behind?
With cultural trivia, school anecdotes, and an ode to toe comfort, this episode proves that even the most ordinary objects carry extraordinary stories. Slippers might seem simple — but this episode shows they’ve walked a long, fascinating path through history. Slip in and enjoy the ride.
Credits
Produced by Jimmy Xavier
Radio Azim Premji University:Akshay Ramuhalli, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Ram Sheshadri, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar
Explore Further
3 Reasons WHY Samurai Wore Slipper-like Shoes | The History of Waraji, Zori, and Geta
David Abraham: Mighty March of the Hawai Chappal | The Voice Of Fashion
Why Are Our Slippers Called Hawaii Chappals? The Stories Nobody Ever Told You
Upcycling Flip-Flops: Kenya-Based Company Turns Discarded Footwear Into Colorful Art
‘La Chancla’: Flip Flops As A Tool of Discipline : Code Switch : NPR
Pop Culture’s Footprints: Iconic Flip Flop Moments That Made History
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