The leather industry in Morocco has centuries of existence. In fact, the country gave its name to leather goods maroquinerie in French. In Morocco, leatherwork is traditional. Artisans still use one hundred percent natural materials. Different skins are worked in the tanneries: sheep, goat, and even camels! In Marrakech, the traditional tanneries are a famous tourist attraction despite the unpleasant smell. Despite the unpleasant smell, the tannery of Marrakech is a main attraction that tourists enjoy discovering.
The sheepskin arrives at the tannery in donkey carts. The treatment begins by sorting the skins and then placing them in a large vessel made of clay. Workers soaked the skin in a solution of lime and water until the leather became soft. Then, they add the waste of dogs, chickens, and pigeons to the solution. This mixture gives the place an unpleasant smell that only the workers are used to.
Now it is time for the cleaning process. The workers took the skins out of the large vessels and cleaned them manually from the leech wool. The artisans prepared the colorants from natural substances such as saffron and pepper. Then they mixed these colorants with water in a large container and added the skins to the mixture.
Constantly, the artisans moved the skin in all directions. For several weeks, they repeated this process till the tint penetrated, in deep, all the skin. At this stage, the produced leather can go to the workshops.
Here, skilled handicrafts men transform leather into beautiful and elegant items. Despite the unpleasant smell, many foreign tourists flock to the tannery. They use green mint as a gas mask :- to diminish the stench of the place. Discover Moroccan Pottery's Elegance. Capture Marrakech's Soul at Maison de la Photographie.
