An Account of the Development of a Small Pottery Factory using only African Workmen

Abstract

In 1941 the shortage of containers in E. Africa stimulated the investigation of E. African pottery. The potters of the Amani area were women who practiced their craft according to tribal custom. Their products were unglazed cooking pots. After some difficulty due to tribal customs several women were engaged to demonstrate their work. The method, ~ building process by walking round a stationary form, was found unsuitable for large scale production and as the potters could fit easily adapt themselves to the production of new designs it was decided to train mentoliSe the potters wheel. As none of the Amani staff had any experience of pottery work and as no books on the subject were Available, we were fortunate in having an offer of help from Miss King of Kideleko School U.M.C.A. She in her spare time was able to teach two Mricans to make a simple shape (jam jar) on her own wheel. At the same time Canon Hellier U.M.C.A. kindly lent us his wheel to use and copy. After some 3 weeks training the Africans returned to Amani where they were allowed practice for some months during which the output per man per day rose from some 3 to 50 pieces. This was later greatly increased.