pottery
According to the most ancient estimations, pottery was first seen in Rwanda around the 9th century BC
The ceramic material found was similar to the ceramics discovered on sites around Lake Kyoga in Uganda, in Burundi and the eastern side of the Republic Democratic of Congo.
Modeling technique applied at that time was already advanced to enable them to produce them in several shapes as well as the decor.
The same technique like a sausage were coiled around, or a simple ring superimposed and molded together by hand drawing together. If the modeling techniques have remained more or less unchanged, there have however been changes to the different shapes, and styles of pottery, and the techniques for the decoration and applying decorative motifs.
Contrary to a more widespread opinion, pottery is not a monopoly of women from Batwa tribe only, men and women from other groups have proved to be talented in Rwanda today.
Nevertheless, the traditional modeling by the Batwa and Bayovu has not changed, while some other potters have acquired modern tools for working on clay, mounting, decoration and firing.
METHODS AND MAJOR STEPS IN MODELLING
Clay is extracted from the bottom of the valley. It is grey or somehow dark according the deposit. Combustibles used for pottery making are: wood and grass, generally left for men to accomplish, The fabrication passes through many steps: First, the clay was extracted from either a part of a clay-pit or a well where it was kept until it was to he used.
Then the clay was wrapped in banana leaves, taken home, and placed in a special dug hole nearby.
On the modeling day, the potter took the quantity he needed from the pit.
Degreasing elements were added to the clay, by pounding it on a well cleaned floor.
It was then, kneaded with hands and feet until it became completely smooth and even in texture.
In traditional workshops, the technique of using rollers was used for mounting the piece. Two steps were applied for making a big container, with a period in between for drying session in the sun. Modeling the lower part (bottom and body) and then the upper bit (the shoulder, neck and the sides.
Decoration was done after the neck had been made, by passing vegetal plaited string over the wet surface. The decoration covered the sides, the shoulders and of times the neck and the body. Pieces for decorations might have had simple patterns or motifs applied, paint and sometimes both.
Drying first took place in the sun, then on the shelves installed over kitchen hut, or just near the house. Kilns are nowadays used in modern workshops.
Firing was done outside. The area was cordoned off by previous broken pots, stones or banana trunks. Some potters used to dig out ditches which they lined with lopped off branches and twigs. The containers were arranged one on top of the others from big to small ones like a pyramid.
After firing, the pot was removed, then covered with kaolin.
PIPES
The pipes were essentially made by men.
They were introduced towards the 17th century AD.
There were two types of pipes: the round ones (ikinonko) for the ordinary men and women, and the long ones (indede) for wealthy people.
MODERN POTTERY
Modern pottery has been enriched by ideas from outside. They can be divided in two categories: A utilitarian pottery and artistic pottery, very popular in the townships. They offer varied styles, for example using a pottery wheel in one step only, and then, dried in modern kiln.
The decoration is often made with a combination of several methods: incised nowadays, more often glazed. The containers are dried in kilns and fired at a heat of more than 1000'C in ovens constructed with wedge-shaped resistant bricks.