Pottery: The All Time Rwandan Handicraft

Pottery is an ancient craft that has thrived in Rwanda due to the adaptability of its practitioners. From bustling cities to tranquil villages, pottery serves a multitude of purposes in this land of a thousand hills. 

Learn about the native process of Rwandan pottery below:

Clay is extracted, wrapped in banana leaves, taken home and placed in a special dug hole nearby. On the modeling day, the potter takes the quantity needed and adds degreasing elements by pounding it on a well cleaned floor.
The clay is then kneaded with hands and feet until it becomes completely smooth and even in texture.

Traditionally, Rwandan potters used rollers to shape the various parts of a vessel. They would start by forming the base and body, followed by the shoulder, neck, and sides. Decoration was then applied to the still-wet surface using braided plant fiber.

Historically, traditional pottery served a primarily utilitarian purpose in Rwanda, providing utensils for cooking, storing, and transporting food. Some of these traditional vessels, like cooking pots and storage jars for sorghum or banana beer, remain in use today.

In Rwanda, pots are typically carried on the head using a head cushion for stability. When empty, it is more practical to carry the pot horizontally. When crossing paths, those carrying empty pots yield to those carrying their pots vertically.

The shape and size of Rwandan pots are dictated by their intended use, and in many cases, the design of the pot's opening is a key determinant of its function. Narrow-mouthed pots are ideal for storing liquids, while open-mouthed pots are better suited for tasks like cooking etc.

The traditional Rwandan fireplace, known as the urubumbiro, consisted of a large, circular-shaped base with a concave center, where a pot containing burning charcoal was placed.

Modern Rwandan pottery has evolved by embracing innovations from outside, incorporating new shapes, dryers, ovens, and advanced firing techniques that have enhanced the quality and diversification of the products.