Gender and traditional pottery practice in Ankole region, western Uganda

Abstract

The study investigated traditional pottery practices in the Ankole region of Western Uganda, focusing on indigenous technological knowledge, socio-economic and environmental issues. The main objective was to investigate how the traditional pottery is produced, pottery use, and impact on the environment. Most of the fieldwork component of the study involved interviews with potters, observation and documentation of pottery activities in the region. Findings indicate that traditional pottery is primarily in the hands of women, apart from the Batwa where pottery is done by both gender. Pottery is carried out during the dry season apart from the Batwa tribe who practice pottery throughout the year.

Keywords: Traditional pottery production, forming methods, decorations, firing, marketing, socio-cultural, gender and ecological issues.