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Traditional Mallorcan object

Corriola i politja

At a glance

Pulley. Corriola (or curriola): low cylinder that rotates on an axis, with a slot through which the rope passes (DCVB). Politja is a synonym, most used for…

Objects and tools
Traditional Mallorcan object
Words
corriola / curriola, politja, «No poder anar ni amb currioles», «Tenir fluixes ses currioles», «Untar les currioles»
Events
2

What is

Pulley. Corriola (or curriola): low cylinder that rotates on an axis, with a slot through which the rope passes (DCVB). Politja is a synonym, most used for the belt drive pulley (DCVB; pronunciation poliʤə in Palma).

How is

  • Wooden or iron wheel with channel.
  • Mounted on an iron arch or on a crossbar over the mouth of the well or cistern (Majorcan forms, please verify).
  • Corró (Mall.): metallic cylinder or cone at the end of the axis of the mill wheel and the sinia, which rotates inside the dau (DCVB).

How is fa

Com s'usa

  • To raise the shaft of the well or cistern (see aljubs and cisterns ).
  • On site, to upload materials.
  • Alcover: «Fer cruixir de bell nou la corriola / per abeurar els camells» (Poems, DCVB).

Vocabulary

  • corriola / curriola — pulley.
  • politja — pulley; belt pulley.
  • ran (Mall.) — cone of the axis of sinia or mill.
  • «Not being able to anar nor amb currioles» – going very badly, without remedy (Cat., Mall., Men.).
  • «Untar les currioles» – bribe (Cat., Bal.): «Qui unta més ses corrioles / sol essé es més preferit» (Ignor.).
  • «Tenir fluixes ses currioles» — loose legs (Palma).

History

  • 1309: «III currioles X diners» (Boll. Lul., DCVB).
  • 1410: "in the fareig la corriola" (DCVB).
  • Today: the electric pump replaces the corolla; Many are still mounted in wells and cisterns as decorative pieces.

On veure'n

  • Wells and cisterns in patios and possessions throughout the island.

Why is it design

  • Change of direction of force: pull down to raise the water.
  • Sound: the corolla "creaks"; part of the soundscape of the house.
  • Piece that survives use: it remains as an ornament for the well.

For the project

  • Photographic inventory of well corrals in a town.

Frequently asked questions

What is Corriola i politja?

Pulley. Corriola (or curriola): low cylinder that rotates on an axis, with a slot through which the rope passes (DCVB). Politja is a synonym, most used for…

What are the traditional words for Corriola i politja?

Some words: corriola / curriola, politja, «No poder anar ni amb currioles», «Tenir fluixes ses currioles», «Untar les currioles».

Sources

Working text from the Disseny Indígena knowledge base, machine-translated from Spanish.

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