Photo Gallery: the Tanneries
In Marrakech in 1982 you got the impression that nothing was wasted in the town. Old cans were fashioned into rain water pipes, old tires into the soles for sandals. If we all lived today in a similar manner our use of the worlds resources might actually be “sustainable”.
The tanneries were a part of that system. You felt that every part of a slaughtered camel, goat or sheep would be used in some way and that included turning the hide into leather. The tannery area is in the northwest side of the old town next to the city wall which provided a view point. Outside the wall and the “Route des Ramparts” hides were spread to dry and beyond that what appeared to be a shanty town.