Shadoof in Hortobágy (1890s)

Shaduf. Kom Ombo, Egypt

A shadoof or shaduf (an Arabic word) is an irrigation tool, originally developed in ancient Sumer. It is still used in many areas of Africa and Asia to draw water.

The shadoof consists of an upright frame on which is suspended a long pole or branch, at a distance of about one-fifth of its length from one end. At the long end of this pole hangs a bucket, skin bag, or bitumen-coated reed basket, while the short end carries a weight (clay, stone, or similar) which serves as the counterpoise of a lever.

With an almost effortless swinging and lifting motion, the waterproof vessel is used to scoop up and carry water from one body of water (typically, a river or pond) to another. At the end of each movement, the water is emptied out into runnels that convey the water along irrigation ditches in the required direction.

See also: Archimedes' screw.