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Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2017/photo essay/Clay pots in Nigeria

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Pottery in Nigeria by user:Uzoraustin

  • After the collection of the clay in lumps, it will be broken into small pieces using a pestle and then soaked in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours. The next stage involves the removal of the clay from the bowl, bucket or part where it is soaked and it is then subjected to kneading. The raw clay is poured on a sack material, a little sharp sand is added, depending on the quantity of working clay, with a little water spray on top, both feet are used to mix the clay together until the required texture is obtained and it became workable. The reason for kneading according is for uniform consistency which aids workability. The tempering materials used here is sand, a fine material and according to the potter this prevents the cracking of pots and reduces shrinkage and it makes serve to add non plastic materials to the lay to produce a fine work and the clay becomes flexible.
    After the collection of the clay in lumps, it will be broken into small pieces using a pestle and then soaked in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours. The next stage involves the removal of the clay from the bowl, bucket or part where it is soaked and it is then subjected to kneading. The raw clay is poured on a sack material, a little sharp sand is added, depending on the quantity of working clay, with a little water spray on top, both feet are used to mix the clay together until the required texture is obtained and it became workable. The reason for kneading according is for uniform consistency which aids workability. The tempering materials used here is sand, a fine material and according to the potter this prevents the cracking of pots and reduces shrinkage and it makes serve to add non plastic materials to the lay to produce a fine work and the clay becomes flexible.
  • Some lumps of the kneaded clay are been cut and the potter starts rolling the paste into cylindrical coils, the length and breadth of the coils depends on the type of object that is about to be produced. This is done by rubbing the lumps of clay between the palings on the hand, held vertically until it elongates gently into rolled balls. When the needed coils are ready the potter will begin to mold. in this case, she is molding a pot, a stand which is usually the neck of a broken pot is placed on top of a platform and the pot is been molded inside it. During the molding process, She uses here left hand to support the outside wall of the pot from the outward pressure of her right hand in the process of handing more coils, as the molding progresses, she smooth-ens the inside walls with her hand.
    Some lumps of the kneaded clay are been cut and the potter starts rolling the paste into cylindrical coils, the length and breadth of the coils depends on the type of object that is about to be produced. This is done by rubbing the lumps of clay between the palings on the hand, held vertically until it elongates gently into rolled balls. When the needed coils are ready the potter will begin to mold. in this case, she is molding a pot, a stand which is usually the neck of a broken pot is placed on top of a platform and the pot is been molded inside it. During the molding process, She uses here left hand to support the outside wall of the pot from the outward pressure of her right hand in the process of handing more coils, as the molding progresses, she smooth-ens the inside walls with her hand.
  • The object that has been molded can be decorated depending on the choice of the potter.
    The object that has been molded can be decorated depending on the choice of the potter.
  • This particular design of pots are main used to perform rituals and offers sacrifices.
    This particular design of pots are main used to perform rituals and offers sacrifices.
  • After molding, the objects are placed outside to dry for at least four days. Drying is extremely important stage in the pottery work because if the object is not properly dried before firing, it will shatter during firing.
    After molding, the objects are placed outside to dry for at least four days. Drying is extremely important stage in the pottery work because if the object is not properly dried before firing, it will shatter during firing.
  • Firing is the most crucial and last stage of pottery production, it determines the success of the art. Every potter is very anxious and expectant about this stage, there is general suspense hoping for the best to happen. Firing is done some few distance from the house, large pieces of bamboo are gather together and the objects are arranged in other of sizes from the biggest to the smallest leaving spaces between them. Firing is done in the evening and before the fire is set different pieces and sizes of zincs are arranged orderly as to conserve the heat so that the objects can be well heated. They are left in the fire for about 4 - 6 hours.
    Firing is the most crucial and last stage of pottery production, it determines the success of the art. Every potter is very anxious and expectant about this stage, there is general suspense hoping for the best to happen. Firing is done some few distance from the house, large pieces of bamboo are gather together and the objects are arranged in other of sizes from the biggest to the smallest leaving spaces between them. Firing is done in the evening and before the fire is set different pieces and sizes of zincs are arranged orderly as to conserve the heat so that the objects can be well heated. They are left in the fire for about 4 - 6 hours.
  • After firing, a long piece of bamboo is used to bring out the objects from the fire. the color of the objects will change to either brown or black depending on the amount of smoke which they have been exposed to. They are allowed to cool down for about two hours before been taken to the house for storage. they can also be painted depending on the buyer’s preferences or potters choice.
    After firing, a long piece of bamboo is used to bring out the objects from the fire. the color of the objects will change to either brown or black depending on the amount of smoke which they have been exposed to. They are allowed to cool down for about two hours before been taken to the house for storage. they can also be painted depending on the buyer’s preferences or potters choice.
  • As shown in the picture, various objects are now ready which can be used for different purposes. The pot can be used to fetch and store water, the plates for eating and serving of kola nuts, the vessels for keeping flowers for decoration.
    As shown in the picture, various objects are now ready which can be used for different purposes. The pot can be used to fetch and store water, the plates for eating and serving of kola nuts, the vessels for keeping flowers for decoration.
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