1- The magic of transforming skin into leather in Morocco
2- Discover the complex stages of manufacturing exceptional quality Moroccan leather
3- Journey to the heart of Moroccan artisanal tanning
Introduction
Imagine yourself walking through the bustling streets of Marrakech, Morocco. You're struck by the vibrant smells and colors that surround you.
You follow your nose to a small shop hidden in the narrow streets of the city. You push open the door and are greeted by the sound of machinery and the clatter of tools. You are in an artisanal tannery, where talented artisans work tirelessly to create exceptional quality leather.
For centuries, Morocco has been renowned for its high-quality leather production. The leather industry is an important pillar of the Moroccan economy and an integral part of the country's culture and history.
In this article, we'll take you behind the scenes of artisanal leathermaking in Morocco and show you the complex and meticulous steps that go from raw hide to a finished product of exceptional quality.
We will also introduce you to the different types of leather produced in Morocco and their use in the making of various items.
The Stages of Handmade Leather Production in Morocco
Abdejalil is a talented artisan working in the bustling city of Marrakech. With years of experience in the tanning trade, he is known for his superior quality sheepskins. But how does he achieve such perfect skins? Here are the steps of his production process.
1_ Buy sheepskin
Abdejalil buys sheepskins from suppliers in the cities of Benimellal, Agadir, and Marrakech. He preserves them in perfect condition for 7 to 10 days using salt.
2_ Eliminating salt and opening the pores of the skin
Next, he takes the skins to a cistern where he washes them to remove the salt and open the pores. He then exposes them to the sun to dry them before the next step, which lasts about two days.
3_ Giving strength and thickness to the skins
Abdejalil then transports the hides to a tank containing lime and sodium sulfide. They remain there for 10 to 12 days, the sodium sulfide serving to remove the hair while the lime makes them thicker.
4_ Reduce the thickness of the skins
He then transfers them to another tank filled only with lime, which makes them even thicker and stronger. He then washes them in a large hand washing machine to remove the lime before moving on to the next step.
5_ Use of the remains of the pigeons
Abdejalil places the skins in another tank containing pigeon remains, which causes them to lose thickness and return them to their original shape. He then has to work them with his feet while regularly monitoring them to prevent them from losing their fibers or tearing.
6_ The magic of dyeing
He then washes the hides in the large "Tolo" washing machine and places them in a tank containing salt, wheat bran, and acids for four days. Once dry, he places them in another tank containing wheat bran and works them again with his feet, letting them rest for about eight days.
7_ The ultimate touch of perfection
After that, he places the hides in a tank called "Afedli" using tanning material for about a day, then takes them out and lets them dry before cutting them in half to make large pieces. He then puts them back in Afedli using even more tanning material for 3 to 4 days.
8_ Final touch on the skins
After drying the skins in the "Ksari," Abdeljalil takes them to a small room where he continues to soak the skins in water for 12 hours, then begins to rub them with a sharp tool. Once he is finished, the skins are ready to be used, and Abdeljalil sells them to various artisans in the old town of Marrakech.
9_ Manufacturing of leather bags and other items
One of them is Mr. Omar, who is a professional manufacturer of bags and leather goods.
Mr. Omar uses the hides to make jackets, but there are men who use them to make leather bags by painting them different colors and stitching them with Berber rugs to form a large leather bag. The artisans sell their products to merchants in the leather market and outside the medina, who sell them to individuals and buyers from around the world.
It's important to note that every step of Moroccan leather craftsmanship is crucial and requires careful attention and highly skilled labor. Thanks to the use of traditional methods and the quality of the raw materials, Moroccan leather is renowned worldwide for its durability and beauty.
10_ Types and advantages of leather manufacturing in Morocco
What are the different types of leather produced in Morocco?
Morocco is known for producing different types of leather, each with its own characteristics and uses.
- Goat leather: Soft and supple, goat leather is ideal for making flexible and lightweight items, such as handbags.
- Sheepskin: Thicker and more durable, sheepskin is often used to make belts or dress shoes.
- Cowhide: Thick and sturdy, cowhide is perfect for items that require high durability, such as wallets or backpacks.
In addition to these more common types of leather, Morocco is also renowned for producing luxury leathers, such as crocodile, lizard, and python. These rare and precious skins are used to create high-quality, haute couture items.
What are the advantages of Moroccan tanning?
Moroccan tanning has many advantages that allow it to produce quality leather.
- A flexible production system that can be adapted to the specific needs of customers.
- Moroccan craftsmen are highly skilled, with great expertise and precision in their work
- They often use traditional methods that ensure the quality and durability of the leather
- Ideal climatic conditions for leather production, with constant sunshine and heat throughout the year.
- Quality raw materials, including a wide variety of animal skins available on site.
The impact of international demand on the leather industry in Morocco
Moroccan leather is highly valued internationally, and the country exports its products to many countries. However, competition from other leather-producing countries, such as India and China, can be fierce. This is why it is important to preserve and promote leather craftsmanship in Morocco, in order to maintain this ancestral industry as part of the country's cultural and economic heritage.
the tanners of Marrakech
Meet Abdeljalil, the young man who helped the Atlas-artisan team discover all the details about leather tanning, a hard worker who keeps this beautiful craft alive and is ready to transform it for future generations.
Conclusion
In summary, the artisanal leather industry in Morocco is rich in history and culture, and plays an important role in the country's economy. Using traditional techniques and highly skilled labor, Moroccan artisans transform hides into quality leather, ranging from goatskin to luxury leather. Despite international competition, it is important to preserve and promote leather craftsmanship in Morocco to maintain this ancestral industry as part of the country's cultural and economic heritage.
