Communal Washing In Afurada
Ben Mitchell A short walk West of Porto, reaches the small fishing village of Afurada at the mouth of the Rio Douro. To the first time visitor, the streets of the village may initially appear relatively quiet, save for the sound of gulls overhead. But descending towards the mouth of the Rio Douro, it is not long before hubs of activity will be discovered. Large grills are set up on street corners, creating mouthwatering aromas, as all kinds of fish are prepared and grilled. Fishermen sit along the length of the river, fishing their dinner, and others gather besides their boats to mend and stack their nets. Although a history of fishing dominates the village, it soon becomes clear however, that this remains a mainly male focused activity. Continuing through the village, visitors will stumble upon what could at first be mistaken for a large scale art installation of giant bunting. This is in fact an arrangement of communal washing lines, with everything from socks and trousers to large rugs and quilts, hung out to dry in the heat and sea breeze. Overlooking these make-shift lines is a communal wash house, where the women of the village gather to wash their laundry around a series of giant square stone basins. Whilst the men are out fishing, the wash house serves as a place to escape the solitude of individual homes, a place of community and of sharing stories. A hub of activity, abundant with scrubbing and soaping, whilst children play in the adjacent playground. No coins are required, and there is no concern for the security of one’s best linins, as they are pegged up for all the village to see. The hanging washing instils a sense of freedom and honesty. It is very possible that not everyone nearby owns a washing machine, and the wash house proves a very practical facility. But there are certainly those who are capable of washing in the convenience of their own home. However, these women choose instead to wash at least some items here, whether for the romantic ritual of stone washtubs, or for the social experience that the activity brings them. This mundane everyday activity has been transformed into a romantic daily tradition that evokes social congregation, natter and song. Not only this, but it has provided the place with a strong identity, an identity of community, honesty and openness. I wonder how many other mundane tasks can be transformed into a tradition to foster a sense of community and social interaction. Taking out the bins, cleaning, dusting, washing the dishes? When exploring ways to bring new life and identity to areas of deprivation within the UK, these everyday activities should not be overlooked. The use of communal facilities is one of the strongest tools for the creation of communities, and has been well received in community based housing models, such as co-housing. Within the UK it is generally assumed that people prefer to use private facilities within the comfort of their own home, but if the boundaries of the home were to be questioned, how might the neighborhood’s sense of community be strengthened?
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