The laundry houses or « Kanndi » are small buildings in which a pool, flowing water, a chimney and a basin can be found. The latter, made of either wood or granit, is circular, between 130cms and 150 cms in diameter, and 160cms in height. Such buildings were to be found in considerable numbers in Léon. Research based on the Napoleonic land registers, post mortum wealth and property inventories in the 18th century and other solicitor’s documents, as well as word of mouth, have enabled over 600 such sites to be identified.
In close proximity to a kanndi, there is a water source which fills the pool. This is where the flax fibres are whitened. The skeins are submerged in the pools, with bags of beech ash, that is tannin-free and has exceptional washing qualities. Thread which has undergone successive steamings has much added value. Both the moon and the sun finish off the whitening process, as the thread is left exposed to the elements in the outdoor courtyards .
