Downtown Africa
In the village of Cassamance, in the South of Senegal, pottery is a tradition and Art for the women. For these Senegalese women, the outside pottery workshop is their ultimate meeting place where they spend most days working. The knowledge is handed down from generation to generation.
Arocky Coly, a woman in her 70s, is the guardian of the pottery temple. She said “I have been here for over 20 years. I started with my elders, but they can’t come anymore due to their advanced age, others have even died. And they hardly gain anything in their work.
Sometimes we produce a lot of vases that end up breaking, but that doesn’t discourage us. As long as I am still Alive, I will continue to support the younger ones”
In addition to pottery, the women also engage in processing fruits, producing soaps and making clay stoves and pot. Their greatest ambition is creating job for people. However, finding enough market still remains a challenge. And there are difficulties in getting the right equipment.
This report was submitted by our Independent Reporter, Onyinyechi Cynthia (Nigeria). You too can start earning money by becoming our Independent Reporter. Contact us at IR@downtownafrica.com
