J. Gafarot's photos with the keyword: Nora

The nora or noria performs the function of moving water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation, using the energy derived from the flow of a river. For devices powered by animals, the usual term is 'saqiyah or saqiya. Other types of similar devices are grouped under the name of chain pumps. However, the names of traditional water-raising devices used in the Middle East, India, Spain Portugal, and other areas are often used loosely and overlappingly, or vary depending on region.

For example, the flywheel mechanism used to smooth out the delivery of power from a driving device to a driven machine, was invented by ibn Bassal (fl. 1038–1075) of al-Andalus, who pioneered the use of the flywheel in the nora and saqiyah.