Elisabeth de Kleer
Artisanal Criba Sifter
Artisanal rotary drum (trommel) used for small-scale coffee processing or mining in the Antioquia mountains. Specifically a "criba" or sifter.
In this coffee-rich region, farmers use these to sort "cerezas" (coffee cherries) by size or remove debris after harvesting. Cylindrical frame made of welded rebar or wire mesh. Hand-cranked or motor-driven via the bicycle wheel visible in the rear. Gravity-fed; smaller particles fall through gaps while larger waste exits the end.
Alternatively used in "barequeo" (subsistence gold mining). Miners process river sediment or crushed ore through the drum to separate heavy mineral-rich gravel. Crucial for "minería artesanal" which supports many rural families here but often involves hazardous mercury or cyanide use in the later "amalgamation" stages.
The DIY construction—repurposed rebar, bicycle parts, scrap wood—is a hallmark of "ingenio paisa" (Antioquian ingenuity), the local culture’s pride in solving technical problems with minimal resources.