Posted on December 21, 2024 at 10:06 AM in General by Administrator
Traditional pottery from Sri Lanka is a timeless art form that combines the past and present. This art form, which has its roots in history and culture, is a remarkable fusion of sustainability, spirituality, and usability. From traditional burial practices which presents in past, to contemporary eco-friendly designs, pottery has changed while maintaining its fundamental role in Sri Lankan culture.
In Sri Lanka, pottery has an extensive history where, archeological findings indicate that it was used as early as 1000 BCE. Pottery culture blossomed and became an essential part of everyday life and religious rituals during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods. Pottery represented the artistry and cultural importance of its era, which included basic hand-crafted containers to complicated objects created on potter's wheels.
In the past, pottery served purposes beyond practical ones. For instance, clay vessels used in funeral services between 750 and 450 BCE can be found in megalithic tombs such as those at Ibbankatuwa in Dambulla. Other discoveries, like the ornamented clay shards found at Ratnapura, demonstrate the artistic creativity and long-standing usage of potter's wheels.
Clay is the main component of Sri Lankan pottery and is widely accessible throughout the island. The most often used clay is red clay, which is known for its strength and unique scarlet color. To increase its durability and artisans they use minerals like silica, feldspar, and kaolin.
There are several meticulous preparations involved in the pottery-making process:
Sri Lankans' daily life and religious rituals are tightly connected with pottery. Basins (koraha), strainers (nembiliya), and clay pots were necessary kitchenware in traditional kitchens. In addition to their necessary uses, these objects gave meals a feeling of familiarity and community.
Clay gained a spiritual quality in religious rituals, such that, Buddhist rituals employed kothalaya (vase-shaped vessels), oil lamps, and alms bowls to represent the relationship between spirituality and the land.
Clay pottery provides answers for contemporary sustainable living and is not just leftovers from the past. Because clay utensils preserve nutrients and improve food flavors, they are ideal for cooking and are free of chemicals. They are perfect in storing of food due to its porous nature, which prolongs its freshness.
Clay objects can be recycled or used again even after they are no longer usable. Broken pots can be safely given to nature or crushed and used as garden fillers or tiling. Clay pottery is a popular option for people who care about the environment because of its eco-friendly lifecycle.
Even with its lengthy history, traditional pottery still faces difficulties in the era of mass production and contemporary cookware as clay pots have been supplanted by metal or non-stick alternatives in many houses. But as consumers look for eco-friendly and toxin-free replacements, artisanal, handmade goods are becoming more and more popular.
A unique opportunity to learn about this ancient craft is provided by seeing pottery villages in Sri Lanka. Skilled artisans are well-known in places like Wadakkarawewa, Matale, and Kandy. Visitors can observe the fascinating process of clay being baked in kilns, formed on a potter's wheel, and carved with customary patterns.
Additionally, a lot of towns have interactive workshops where guests can make their own clay sculptures. In addition to helping local communities, these events help to conserve Sri Lankan pottery skills and knowledge.
The Sri Lanka's rich history and adaptability are shown through these traditional pottery arts. This craft evolved from prehistoric burial practices to contemporary environmentally friendly designs. Explore stories crafted by the potter's wheel and the stunning beauty of Sri Lankan ceramics, in every piece of clay, whether it be used an ornament, it holds a bit of the island's history.
