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Fijian Pottery from Nakoro Village, Noikoro District of Nadroga Province
About 3000 years ago, a group of highly mobile ocean-going foragers arrived in Fiji from the west, bringing with them a distinctive pottery tradition that archaeologists now call Lapita. Although pottery styles and decoration have changed over time, the art of pottery-making has persisted in the Fiji islands to the present day. The village of Nakoro in Noikoro district, central Vitilevu is located at least 20 miles from the nearest village in Tholo West. In the Fijian village of Nakoro, traditional pottery-making was used in barter in former times. It is still bartered to- day, but to a very limited extent. An elongated form of kuro (cooking pot) has been exchanged for mats with some people of Tholo West. Noikoro is famous for its elongated cooking pot. Clay deposits vary from district to district. In Nadroga, terracotta clay is at foot level or found on river banks. The cleaning of clay differs from one district to another. In Noikoro, male assistance is needed, as clay has to be carried on horseback. The clay deposit is in Vusu, an old village site about one and a half miles away from the present village.

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Fiji

Fijian Pottery from Nakoro Village, Noikoro District of Nadroga Province
The pot is beaten up smartly, then placed upright on the toqi. The formation of the neck is very important. Stone is held inside and patted from outside, while the potter moves around the pot, pulling up the required thickness of clay to the brim, at this point the clay is reinforced by beating the neck with a handle of the beating paddle. Using the same beating and pulling process with great skill, the lip is held up and curved outward. The finished pot is left in a cool place, away from direct drafts to dry for three days. After four days pots can be exposed to the sun’s heat, or placed near the fire place in preparation for firing.

#pottery #tuli kuro #kuro vakaviti #fiji #fiji pottery

Fiji

Fijian Pottery from Nakoro Village, Noikoro District of Nadroga Province
The wedging process in Noikoro is unique. The clay is placed in a heap on big stones in the middle of the stream which runs by the village. Men with a heavy rod about 5cm in diameter and one metre long, hit the heap of clay continuously. The beating process forces all dirt out of the clay. Through experience, one knows when to stop beating as the clay is then pure and gains its plasticity. The clay is reffered to as bula (come to life). It is wrapped in banana leaves, then stored.

#pottery #clay pots #kuro vakaviti #fiji

Fiji

kuro vakaviti