‘The sexually pure make good pottery’

Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]

A local potter exhibiting at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has said in order to make good pottery, one needs to be sexually pure so that the products do not develop cracks.

Mrs Sinikiwe Maphosa who is in charge of a group of people from Insiza District who make different industrial products said pottery products are mainly made by old women who are no longer sexually active because pottery is very sensitive and might develop cracks if done by a sexually active person.

Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials.

Of interest, the group makes sugar basins, pots and cups using clay.

“We use what is known as umdaka by most people. This is clay like soil but it’s not clay as such because it is a bit different and makes good products. We get umdaka from a certain place in our region. The soil is then ground in a grinding tool so that it can be smooth. After the initial grinding, it is then further ground by a big stone which is meant to ensure that all the stones that might have been left are destroyed. This is why this soil ends up being soft and so clear,” said Mrs Maphosa.

She said after the grinding process, the potters start shaping the clay depending on what one wants.

Mrs Maphosa said this process requires a disciplined person who will not only be patient with the model they are making but will also abstain from sexual activities when doing them.

“If one is making the models, they need to abstain from sexual activities because the clay used was respected back in the day and sexually impure people could not just touch it. If the model is made by a person who is sexually active, the product, for example if it’s a pot, will have cracks and everyone will know the person was not clean enough to touch the clay. That’s why most pottery moulders are old women who are no longer sexually active as it is guaranteed no cracks will be found on their pottery,” said Mrs Maphosa.

She said after moulding the shape that one wants, the clay will be soft and can easily crack so as a way of strengthening it, water is poured inside the model with cow dung so that the water can sink into the mud and strengthen it.

Mrs Maphosa said after this is done, the pottery product can be left to dry and that can be done by either using a fire or it can be left outside to dry in the sun.

She said pottery products are important in many cultures because traditionalists and herbalists used them to store herbs for traditional ceremonies.

Mrs Maphosa said apart from pottery, they also weave mats, hats and weld different artefacts such as hoes.

The potter said they sell all their products and the money is shared among the group members.

Mrs Maphsa said she is hopeful the fair will not only strengthen their business but will also help them get new customers who will take the business to new heights. — @flora_sibanda