Porter (carrier)

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Template:Otheruses2 A porter, also called a bearer, is a person who carries objects. Human adaptability and flexibility early led to the use of humans for transporting gear. Uneven terrain, such as in mountains, alleyways and markets, and a lack of formed roads, such as in jungle, makes the use of porters economical where one can obtain relatively cheap labour.

Porters appeared extensively in the ancient world as beasts of burden. Ancient Sumerians enslaved women to carry wool and flax. Porters still carry things in many third-world countries, especially where animals, like camels, oxen, horses and dogs, or machines, like carts, trucks, ships, trains and aircraft, have not taken over their traditional functions. The Sherpa people of Nepal have established a reputation as specialist porters.

The term "porter" sometimes refers to airport or hotel employees that carry luggage, but generally refers to relatively menial labor.

Porters who work at railway stations in India are called coolies.