Tilwaen Waan

Cradling Kashmir’s Last Ox-Driven Oil Mill: Last Man’s Legacy

Mohammad Wani (77), running one of the last ox-driven oil presses
[Tilwaen Vaan] in Kashmir Valley. Mohammad Wani operates arguably the last proponent of the traditional oil mills from the basement of his bedroom in Namblabal area of Pampore, 15 kilometres south of Srinagar.
Wani has spent more than 60 years of his life on the oil-mill and vows to continue his inherited profession of his father till his last breath to keep the promise he has made to his father.

“This traditional way of extracting edible oil will die soon. I am the only one to do this work now. If I leave it, no one will do this work,” he said.