Pottery-making in Igboland, Eastern Nigeria: An Ethnoarchaeological Study

Abstract

Pottery-making in parts of Igboland is discussed from an ethnoarchaeological perspective. In line with a long tradition of descriptive studies, the pottery manufacturing processes are here outlined, but emphasis is laid firstly on studying pottery decorations (techniques and motifs) prevalent in parts of Igboland within their socio-cultural and economic contexts; and secondly, on observing and studying how the Igbo people (potters and users of pots) classify pottery products (traditional pottery classification). A second set of observations concerns functions of pots, their distribution, consumption, life span and eventual disposal. Finally, the paper also looks at the social and cultural setting of pottery production — factors which still favour pottery production in Igboland and those that may lead to its eventual abandonment (including the status of potters in Igbo society and the learning process of pottery manufacture).