By Funmiluyi Olaitan Christiana
Lottery is an ancient craft with the earliest historical records of wheel-thrown pottery dating back to 4000 B.C. in Egypt and 3000 B.C. in China. In Nigeria, pottery making is one of the most widespread art traditions of the people, practised in many urban and rural communities.
Pottery in Nigeria is associated with several activities. The earliest examples of pottery were found in Borno and may date back to 6000 B.C. while the Stone Age site at Iho-Eleeru (Iwo-Eleru) rock shelter in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State where pottery was also found, dates back to 3000 B.C.
The majority of Nigerian potters are women and many potters still use the traditional method of molding by hand in spite of the growth of the ceramic industry.This is probably because traditional pottery has the advantages of very low cost and in functional value outclasses other vessels. Since it keeps water stored in it cool and does not break when used to cook over open fires.
The majority of pottery wares have been made for domestic use. Despite the existence of modern ceramic industry in the country and the availability of plastic vessels and vessels made of other materials, traditional pottery wares are still used in large quantities, especially in rural communities. The form of a pot is determined by the purpose it is to serve, and this is taken into consideration by the potter before the pot is made. Water pots for carrying water for instance, have very narrow mouths to prevent the water from spilling and water to be taken out from it, using small container. However, form does not necessarily limit the use to which pottery vessels may be put and a variety of vessels could be used to store similar things.
In traditional Nigerian society, pots have been put to various uses. Large pots are used for storing water in the house or kitchen. Smaller pots are used to keep or store kolanuts and peppered groundnut paste. Some pots are used as bowls for washing hands or as plates for eating while some are made into cups or bowls with which to drink water or palm wine.
Pottery lamps are usually shallow with lips on end. One end of the wick of the lamp is placed in the bowl to absorb oil or shea butter while the other end which is to be lit rests on the lip of the bowl. It is called fitila by the Yoruba. The Hausa also produce pots in which to burn incense especially in Borno.
Perforated pots are produced by different people in Nigeria for various purposes. The Yoruba use perforated pots for straining and cleaning locust beans while many other ethnic groups use them to dry meat and fish and other times over the kitchen fire. Perforated bowls with handles are used to carry fire and incense by the Hausa.
Pots which are used as coolers are lidded globular pots often with a spout, small mouth and long neck. These features help to keep the water in the pots away from the heat of the sun during droughts. They are called kula by the Yoruba.
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The Itsekiri of Delta State produce snuff tray pots, which are used to prepare snuff for men and women. The locally grown tobacco leaves are cut into strips inside the tray and kept on fire. They are then ground on the tray with stone.
The large fryer pot – Agbada – is a shallow wide pot with a pronounced rim. It is used to fry or roast large quantities of food such as when roasting cassava to produce garri, a popular staple, while smaller ones are used in the home for frying bean cakes or yam or plantain.
Money box pots are rounded with slits on top. They are called banki or kolo by the Yoruba and used for domestic savings. Once money is kept inside it, it cannot be taken out except the box is broken.
Flasks, which are called buta, nutane salla or shamtali by the Hausa, are used for Muslim ablutions before prayers. Fire pot or Braziers normally have a U-shaped opening for putting firewood or wood fuel and they form secure stands for cooking pots.They are called Adogon by the Yoruba and Murfu/mumu by the Hausa. Pot sheds from braziers are the commonest finds in archaeological sites of ancient Yoruba settlements.
- Funmiluyi is Assistant Director (Education), National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.