In all honesty, situations like this are a common factor all over the world. People don't understand when they buy cheap they destroy once thriving industries. Mass produced shoes may work for some, but if you have more unique feet? Or it you want something traditional and long lasting? You won't get that from mass produced shoes. It is sad as you loose so much culture and tradition when you loose a handicraft, even one as seemingly non important as shoe making. Once-all around the planet, your hair style/ornamentation and your shoes showed everyone without words who you were, they were a part of your identity and your cultures identity. My mom still says "it doesn't really matter what you wear-if your head is good and your feet are good-your good!"