Exchange, interaction, and change in local ceramic production in the Niumi commercial center on the Gambia River

Abstract

This article addresses changes in local ceramic production resulting from contact and interaction through a detailed examination of pottery manufacture immediately before, during, and through the decline of the Atlantic trade. Increased socio-economic interactions are directly correlated with changes in local ceramic production, including increased variation in the former Niumi commercial center on the Gambia River. The Atlantic trade period in Niumi is characterized by increased settlement, interaction, and wealth. In this light, I characterize the changes in local ceramic production as a locally circumscribed reaction to regional and global events. Specifically, through an examination of the visible shifts in temporally sensitive attributes such as temper, paste color, firing practices, and to a lesser extent decorative grammars, it is possible to discern connections between changes in local ceramic production and broader social processes. These include population fluctuations and increased variety in diet reminiscent of public display. These shifts are inextricably tied to the Atlantic trade and are best understood by examining the growth and decline of the Niumi commercial center at four sites, each of which represents different levels of involvement in commerce — Lamin Conco, San Domingo, Juffure Factory, and Juffure Village.