Skins Hung to Dry at the Chouara Tannery
The Chouara Tannery is something you don’t see everyday. The tannery is operated by a cooperative which is owned by the families which live around the tannery. The tannery was set up in the 11th century and it is one of the oldest ones in the world. They still use their time and tested processes to produce leather. It was a weekend so I didn’t get to see the tannery in full action. I was told that the artisans who are working that day just want to finish their stuff so they can go home. I managed to gain access to the roof tops of one of the shops which surround the tannery.
Processing the Skins at the Chouara Tannery
I was given a sprig of mint leaves because the smell was said to be unbearable. However, I didn’t notice any horrible smell. Sure, there was a different smell but it wasn’t overpoweringly bad. I surmised that it was because it was a weekend that the smell wasn’t that bad. I’m not complaining though. I probably only have a few minutes to observe the artisans at work. Some would be bringing the dried skins over. Others are already waist deep in the liquids as they work the skins through the liquid. The white liquid is a softener. It also helps the skins absorb dyes in the next stage of processing. With that thick of a liquid, I think the artisans need to be careful they don’t drop the skins into the liquid or it would be very difficult to find.
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