Sisal leaves are cut from the plant with a machete, then pegged to a board like seen below.  A wooden baton
like rod is used to beat the leaf separating the fiber.  Raw sisal thread is visible tied around post in background. (Next)
 

 

 

 

 

Pegged leaf is
pounded until its skin is "pulped" away, exposing the "sisal threads". 

(Next)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sisal fibers strung like piano wires along the entire length of the leaf are separated tied and hung to dry.

(Next below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
After skinning the leaf, sisal  is separated into
individual fibers.

(See below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sisal fiber tied off and drying, later to be woven into rope or spun into cloth.

Click picture to see sisal rope in use.

 

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