Leather Cycle

Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, sometimes referred to as 'Bloody Eid' by sacrificing an animal just as Abraham had done after staying the sacrifice of his son. The resulting meat is shared among families and given to the poor; in Bangaldesh, the connection between religion and commerce then begins as the hides are collected and sold to tanneries. Eventually the hides will end up as high-end leather shoes and bags by Italian and German manufacturers. The scraps are further broken down for chicken feed and glue, all by hand. -Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2008