The Butcher's Son, a photo from Fes, North

Photographer's Note

Sorry, I gotta do it to complete the butcher's family.

This shot, although not a technically good shot, I find interesting as more of a cultural differences type photo. I have realized, through my travels in poorer setions of countries as well as third world countries, that one major difference between these and the more well off countries in the world is refrigeration. A way of preserving food. If you don't have it than much of your day is either spent trying to get it (ice) or finding a way of surviving without it.

The one thing that gets me about this photo is the hacksaw hanging in the upper right. Six hours earlier I watched the butcher hacksaw these poor goats apart. Throwing parts everywhere. On the ground, on dirty scales and counters, on this table. Now, six hours later the parts are still sitting right where he left them. Uncleaned and as bloody as the second he started cutting. Just smelling alot worse with a couple more flies on them now. The hacksaw, cleaned meticulously and hanging on a clean hook in a corner of the shop.
...that and the one goat staring at me and sticking his tongue out at me in defiance.

Right now the butchers son is yelling frantically trying to get rid of his prime goats heads in time for the end of the dinner rush.

...and now the butcher's family not only spans different counters in Siem Reap but different cities, countries and even continents. The butcher gets around. - sorry Dennis, had to do it.

Some of his other family members if your interested:

The Butcher's Daughter
The Butcher's Wife

...and even a second wife caught by another TE member.

This particular photo was taken on Talaa Kebira just west of Dar Batha square. Sounds easy enough to get to, until you have seen Fes. If you go, you will be amazed. If you don't, you will have no idea what the city is about.

As I said at the start, sorry, but I had to do it for the butcher. I'll refrain from posting a closer view of the butcher's product in the WS unless someone really wants to see it...

..up next: maybe The Butcher's Grandma, don't count on it though

Thanks,
John

linask, LamCam, dareco, edytungkal, mphotographies, Dpbours, murattepe1, shevchenko, vikous, nbj has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

linask (2930) 2007-07-24 14:10

It looks like popular photo subject here at TE, so I have created a theme dedicated to butchers on the streets.
I can imagine - it was not that easy to take a photo like this. From my few days long experience, people in Moroccan cities do not like to be photographed.

Linas

LamCam (3717) 2007-07-24 14:14

Hello John
Meat - but not as we know it! At least not the [younger than me] generation used to it neatly packaged from supermarkets. This shot,however shows the other extreme.
The gore is undeniably colourful and the scarlet of the boy's shirt continues the theme well.
On reading your notes I think this one should come with a health warning!
Best Wishes Maggie

InasiaJones (31566) 2007-07-24 14:35

Hi John,

This kind of photos have its place on TE, no questions about it. But perhaps, they should be posted only by night, when the childrens go to bed... LOL!

Whouf! Another culture, another way of living. Although I’ve seen these improvised butchery in Cambodia, Cuba or India, it’s always a striking image. But they are nonetheless worthy, for their informative content and LATW... The more bloody, the more repulsive...

I wonder what they do with the fat on the counter: Is it to make soap or to use as lamp combustible... Or maybe, it’s to cook a good stew, marocan style. And what about the tongue, why do they have to stick it out of their mouth? A better sales pitch, a sign of freshness, a funnier meat? You have some responsability John, when showing such a provocative image: You have to supply information, to make it look "TrekEarthable"...LOL!

I can’t wait for The Butcher’s Grandma and after that, the second cousin...

Viva el Carne!

Andrй

dareco (17136) 2007-07-24 15:14

Very informative!

janink (1010) 2007-07-24 15:18

This really is a very realistic photo of daily life in Fez John.
I always try to eat vegetarian when i travel.
You know why.
I like the overview you give and the composition.
These kind of little streetshops are so Characteristic.
A good and informative photo.

Regards Ingrid

edytungkal (4551) 2007-07-24 19:05

Hello John,
I thought this is unusual photo on TE, maybe you and maggie are right, it's a health warning that we must lessen eating the meat.
Thanks for the picture and informative note.

greetings
daniel

mphotographies (1976) 2007-07-25 2:21

Hey John,

Ohhh you bloody photographer! This image indeed is tagged as: Daily Life, Food, Humour and DISTURBING! Don't bother to do a WS (closer look) unless YOU like it! The facts of life well presented John, though I'm brave enough to see all these bloodshed but sometimes it becomes too graphic. Perhaps I prefer my meat cooked ;)

Hahaha keep it going dude! "Up next: maybe the butcher's grandma!" Ha! (I like that one) I guess it "runs in the family"...interesting notes/story as well!

All the best!

Jom

Dpbours (222) 2007-07-25 7:27

Hi John,

Hahaha, a pity I'm in an internet cafe and don't have much more time to write everything I see here and feel. Well, despite most people, I do get hungry ;-). Like the detail of the tongue with the middle goat head. Clearly freshly slaughtered, looking at it. Thanks for sharing!

Greetings, Dennis

CliffW (2381) 2007-07-25 13:34

I'd missed the rest of the family! Reunions must be a bear to arrange. ;)

This is very "Fez", isn't it. That occasional opem glowing hole of white porcelain and gore. But an integral part of local life. The table full of heads are of course, suitably disturbing to my western eyes as they were in person.. and that's one of the points, which I appreciate for how well that comes across. I think his face may be a little underexposed for my tastes, but on the up side, the inclusion of the hack saw adds a little mayhem that I like.

shevchenko (20560) 2007-07-26 19:45

Hi John,
Interesting composition, the butcher's son have a cute countenance, six goat heads on the table, I think the goat is well selling here, good pov, available to see another neighbour stall too, congratulation you had completed the butchers theme.
Ally

oochappan (4880) 2007-07-28 7:40

The thumb was already intriging John by the colors and opening, it surprises you all these goat heads, perfect to include that young man on a strong point aside and all the readable detils here telling its own story, well captured with perfect light diversity colors and sharpness.
greetings
Henk

bantonbuju (51815) 2007-08-07 22:33

"Sounds easy enough to get to, until you have seen Fes. If you go, you will be amazed"...
exactly so, john... "amazing" is the word... i have seen very few places as impactful as fes itself...
this photo is really a "raw" life, as it can be found there...interesting how the boy's face grimase goes well with the treasures he put on the table...
really good one...
best wishes, j.

nbj (2097) 2007-08-21 9:23

a rather confronting image, but very real. the focus is good, and so are the colors.

nice note!

nana

smarcell (19965) 2007-12-07 5:46

Wow, everything is red here.
A strong but interesting picture.
A very good shot.
Stefano