Pottery

Introduction

One of Rwanda’s strategies in harmonizing the society’s development lies in reinforcing its own cultural resources, capacity building and integrating foreign technology and systems in its existing know-how. Developmental challenges lie in radical changes for some indispensable and crucial parts of the Rwandan culture due to globalization, in the process of carrying out those inevitable transformations, in various sectors, it is imperative to adopt strategies that will safeguard the traditional cultural values and national identity.
Our values can still be kept alive so long as they continue playing an important role in our economic and social life. The integration of foreign elements in our lifestyle requires three strategies;
- a better understanding of our traditions and culture;
- a framework and a judicious selection of foreign capital in search of solutions to our problems;
- creativity inherited from our ancestors, foreign influences and innovations from the current Rwandan society.

One of the manifestations of this creativity is probably the introduction of new crafts. Rwanda has undergone many changes due to the massive introduction of items produced in Eu.roue and Asia, Colonialists and missionaries brought new ideas such that occupations which could not be adapted accordingly simply disappeared.
Pottery is one of the handicrafts that have survived the hurricane of globalization, because potters adapted themselves easily to the new changes, thus meeting all the required conditions for survival. This study aims at highlighting the importance of pottery and the porters' adaptability to the social environment for the last two thousand years.
The study of pottery is part of a research on Rwanda's materials that were studied, aimed at maintaining a dialogue between the past and the present as well as tradition and modernity. Pottery precisely provides historical, sociological, economic and tourism interests. It offers products for various functions, utilitarian, aesthetic, symbolic or magic, all of which have undergone some changes due to foreign influences. Colonialists, missionaries and traders of Asian origin contributed new ideas and skills, including hard currency as means of exchange. These new products collectively changed the socioeconomic life between Rwandans and their neighbors. Eventually, occupations that could not adapt to this new multicultural change had to face and irreversible desperation.
The affected occupations were mostly those whose raw materials had been replaced by imported ones or by high quality finished products. The production of certain traditional items dwindled as the Rwandan society adapted itself to the new lifestyle and remained at the mercy of globalization. Nevertheless, pottery stood out all these challenges. Improved and diversified, it now plays a very important role for the potter and for the national economy, to some extent. However, the importance of pottery does not receive the attention it deserves in sociological studies on Rwanda. Pottery is one of those handicrafts that have survived the culture shock as a result of contacts with other foreign cultures and influence. Its strength lies both in its history, its adaptability to new uses and its multiple uses. Pottery is a major invention that revolutionized the way of live, and facilitated the transport, storage of food and beverages, in addition to cooking which has enabled humans to consume a wider variety of animals and plants. The improvement in the diet has greatly contributed to improved health and hence to the population increase.

Joseph Habineza
The Minister of Youth , Culture and Sports -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- < Back to TITLES >