We cannot deprive ourselves of water.
And if today it comes most often at home, it was not the case yesterday. The traveler coming back from the third world can easily imagine how much our ancestors have had difficulties bringing this so essential water to their everyday life. And in the islands, as in Molène, the supply of drinking water remains a problem.
The rain, the stream or the river, but also the spring, whose birth seemed divine, were obviously the first natural suppliers of fresh water. Men built there small monuments, basins and access.
Well drilling followed. It was necessary to consolidate its edges, secure them, and then make it easier, with the help of a pulley, the upwelling of buckets and the filling of the containers. From antiquity, many wells were dug in the gardens. But many residents without wells were still forced to go to the creek or the source. Thus, in towns and villages, public wells and fountains were born, much later equipped with an arm pump. Until the arrival at home of the water service, from the 1920 years, the pump was the obligatory meeting point of the village or the neighborhood. Finally, lavoirs were built, so that washing laundry was easier. These places have become essential for social links at that time.
All these constructions of public interest, always respected and sometimes even decorated, sheltered the daily activities of our ancestors. Although discreet, they bear witness to their everyday lives and are full of history. To let them get lost in oblivion would be to deny our origins. Contrary to what human society shows us, there is no hierarchy between elements of heritage. All, absolutely all, have the same memory value and also deserve our respect.
Yannick Loukianoff
