The Azacanes, etymology Arabic name (also called water carriers), performed the work of supplying water to houses, filling their cisterns or wells previously loaded on their donkeys, which were used only for this purpose. To make this work, the water carrier moved to the outskirts of the city, and carried water from springs or the river, filling finally their wells with pitchers taken out of it. Those who could not afford to have a donkey in charge, had to settle for a truck, making this the only means to carry heavier pitchers that filled in the nearest water sources.
Competition between Azacanes was established by the source of water, the price (which used to vary), and righteous compliance office, since water had to arrive at the agreed time.
They were recognized for their work (free to be chosen by anybody), having to accomplish some collective laws. The main law, approved in 1563, made reference to the capacity of carrying containers, limiting these to five and a quarte “ azumbres “, mesure of that time. Besides, pitchers should de printed with the emblem of the Potter who manufactured it. Failure to follow these rules was penalized with a fine of two hundred maravedies and the cracking down of vessels with lower capacity.
In 1751, according to the land register of the Marques de la Ensenada, there were in Toledo about five hundred Azacanes, whose income was calculated around thousand reales (money of that time) a year on average. The Waterboy who had more and better donkeys could get double benefit. With the opening Torcón Marsh in late 1948, the decline of this traditional work began in our city, vanishing completely and just remaining the name of a street (Azacanes) where our Hotels are placed nowadays.
