Wooden threshing board with metal teeth - Doukani

Description

The threshing board (doukáni) is a wooden, heavy plank typically made from cypress wood for durability. Unlike traditional boards that used flint stones (tsakmakópetras), this particular example is fitted with metal blades. These blades were repurposed from the teeth of an old, large saw and serve as its cutting elements.

Use and operation

The doukáni was pulled around the threshing floor by animals—usually oxen or mules. As it slid over the spread bundles of cereal crops, the metal teeth cut and crushed the ears, separating the grain from the straw. Its repeated circular movement allowed for the efficient processing of large quantities.

Significance

Before the advent of mechanical threshers, the doukáni was an essential tool in the traditional threshing process. The shift from flint stones to metal blades represents a later development that improved both durability and performance.