Chouara Tannery in Fes, Morocco

December 1969 Issue

Chouara Tannery in Fes, Morocco

Most every reader who sent in an answer this month had one comment: this place stinks! (Literally.)

July’s photo depicts the Chouara Tannery in Fes, Morocco. Barbara McIntosh of Roseville, California, who contributed the photo, wrote, “The tannery has been in use since medieval times. With the natural dyes in reds, yellows and blues, the mud-brick vats are beautiful.

Hides from sheep, goats, cows and camels are first treated in the white vats, which are filled with a solution of pigeon droppings and lime to remove the hair. Next, barefoot workers dye the skins. An adjoining shop sells leather goods, from handbags to bacouches (colorful slippers).”

This was a popular one. We had 295 correct answers, and JOAN OFFERLE of Austin, Texas, won the drawing.