I just thought people would find this interesting:
Within the Ukraine lives the Hutsul people. They are masters of a specific type of wool blanket technique called “lizhnyk,” which is made from Carpathian sheep wool.
Creating the blankets is a long and difficult craft, but the results are beautiful.
One of the most ingenious parts of their craft involves help from the river. A valylo is a river-powered wooden washing machine; which will beat the blankets until they are soft and lose their sheep-smell.
More info:
Thought to be a system over 100 years old, the valtoare/vâltori (whirlpool) in Romania works by channeling water into a large wooden funnel-like barrel. The funnel has gaps wide enough for water to flow out, but not wide enough for the cloth to slip through.
The force and angle of the water hitting the wood creates a spiral of water, which tumbles the clothes thrown inside.
Historically, people would rent the usage of these from the owner, with money, grain, or by working the land for however long it took the clothes to wash. Today, they are free.
“Today, whirlpools remain popular, especially among people from rural areas. They are used for washing wool fabrics free of charge, but people still like to contribute a small fee to the budget for repair and maintenance.” Peasant Art Craft
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Lived in Ukraine as a kid but never got to see this. The ingenuity is impressive inspirational, and I wonder how the real mountain stream scent compares to the synthetic one most folks find in stores?
(Also nbd but IIRC ~~the~~ Ukraine has been preferred since they gained independence because the old is associated with their experience as a CCCP territory)