Tribalgh
Authentic Tuareg Wooden Pulley – Small Well Support Column 11.8 cm × 10.9 cm
Authentic Tuareg Wooden Pulley – Small Well Support Column 11.8 cm × 10.9 cm
Item number:
SKU:SD-31117
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Authentic Tuareg Wooden Pulley for Well – Small Size (11.8 cm × 10.9 cm)
- Size: 4″ 11⁄16 (11.8 cm) × 4 1⁄4″ (10.9 cm)
Discover this genuine, hand‑carved Tuareg wooden pulley, once used to haul water from wells across the Sahara. Crafted in Niger, this compact support column pulley shows authentic wear, including age cracks and tear‑marks, proof of its rich history and real-world use. Perfect for collectors seeking a piece of nomadic heritage and practical artisan design.
About the Tuareg Pulley & Cultural Significance
The Tuareg have long been renowned for their camel caravans crossing the Sahara to trade salt, dates, and other goods. Pulley systems like this pulley also known as a camp support column, were mounted atop wells and tent supports to lift heavy buckets of water with ease.
This antique pulley, carved from native hardwood, features traditional Tuareg craftsmanship and embodies the resilience of nomadic life. Though small in size, its functional design and age‑related patina make it a meaningful accent piece or a teaching artifact.
Tuareg Tribe & Artisan Traditions
The Tuareg, speakers of Tamasheq, are a semi‑nomadic people whose history in North Africa dates back over 2,000 years first recorded by Herodotus themselves. A predominantly Islamic culture distinct from Arab groups, they remain rooted in the desert, even as many now live in cities like Agadez, Timbuktu, Niamey, and Gao.
Tuareg artistry extends far beyond wooden tools: they are also celebrated for their intricate Tuareg jewelry (silver crosses, amulets), leatherwork (bags, belts, and saddlebags), and finely crafted metal swords and amulets, each piece rich in symbolic motifs and tribal identity.
This well pulley, sometimes referred to as a “support column” or “tent post pulley,” served both functional and cultural roles. Some posts were inscribed with symbolic Tifinagh characters or clan sigils, marking ownership or invoking protective forces while hauling water or securing tents.
Own a rare piece of Saharan nomadic life: a genuine Tuareg wooden pulley that tells a story of trade, tradition, and survival.
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