Moroccan leather tanneries preserve centuries-old traditions in Fes

An employee works at a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco, on April 5, 2026. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

An employee works at a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco, on April 5, 2026. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 5, 2026 shows a view of a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

An employee works at a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco, on April 5, 2026. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

An employee works at a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco, on April 5, 2026. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

An employee works at a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco, on April 5, 2026. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 5, 2026 shows a view of a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 5, 2026 shows a view of a leather tannery in Fes, Morocco. Fes, a city in northern Morocco with a history spanning more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its leather goods, which are popular around the world. Locals still process hides by hand, with natural ingredients used in the softening stage and natural dyes for coloring. The process takes weeks and is carried out without the use of any modern machinery. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)