Hauling up Skins of Water
East of Erfoud, Morocco
Water is hauled from a desert well by hand. The two men stand with toes gripping the sides of the well and use all their strength to get the bag, dripping and full, to the top. In many African countries, camels are used to haul the water to the surface but I have not seen that in Morocco. The water is placed in a barrel with a hose attached. The barrel is higher than the area where the camels will drink.
At the Well
The camels drink from a vessel the size of a washtub…I’m sure that description does not enlighten anyone nowadays. Suffice it to say that they must share and they do. I love the water spraying from the camel who has lifted his head. He has had enough, I imagine. Like horses, camels let the excess spill from their mouths once they are satisfied.