Art in traditional African pottery making

My art

by Milica Velimirovic

“Pottery has historically been studied as ‘primitive craft ‘and something that doesn’t have financial of cultural value. Back to the 15th century when European, Arab, and American men wrote the early historical of the African societies they didn’t consider pottery as ‘art’ and consequently, neither did their audiences in their home countries. African pottery is mainly hand-built. One of the constants in their traditional pottery production is that they are usually hand crafted without the use of a wheel. Maid pots are mostly used in everyday life of agricultural communities and their artistic expression is restricted to form and surface texture.

Rituals in pottery making

Many superstitions and rituals are present in pottery exploits, where in some tribes, only the woman is allowed to make the pottery, while in others it is only the men. In some cultures, there had to be a cleansing ritual before any work on pottery can begin, and in others, a man

Bamana potter Seban Fané, Kunògò, Mali, 1991.

© Photograph by Barbara E. Frank.

Stacking the pots for firing. Kunògò, Mali, 1991.

© Photograph by Barbara E. Frank.

wasn’t allowed to be with a woman the night before he intended to create pottery, or a menstruating woman wasn’t allowed near the pits.

Why pottery is representing art for me

It’s still debating about whether pottery is considered art. From my point of view, it is. Pots represents data from the period in which they were created, the way of thinking and skills that the creators possessed. It gives us bigger picture of life that people in the past used to live, they behaviours and lifestyle.

It has always been fascinating for me to make something with my own hands, Something tangible. Clay gives a lot of possibilities to the creator to play with textures, decorations, shapes, and later colours.

I came across traditional African pottery during high school. The Museum of African Art in Belgrade organized holiday workshops on the topic of pottery.

Blackening the pots. Kunògò, Mali, 1988.

© Photograph by Barbara E. Frank.

Pots for sale on market day. Banamba, Mali, 1988

© Photograph by Barbara E. Frank.

Exhibition in the Museum of African Art in Belgrade, year 2020.

For two weeks we had the opportunity to learn more about the history of pottery and its significance.

The most interesting part was the making of clay pots. The process itself takes a lot of time, patience, and focus. After two weeks of production, we had an exhibition and awards were given for the three best amateur works.

Work that I have presented on the exhibition.

Awarding moment after exhibition.

Workshop for adults, year 2022.

Workshop for adults, year 2022.

The Museum of African Art in Belgrade organizes annual workshops for children, high school students and adults. The best thing is that everything is free of charge.