Pottery Production an Asset for Women Livelihood Case Study on Kechene Women Potters in Addis Ababaa
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The thesis explores the livelihoods of the women potters in the Kechene neighbourhood, in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It focuses on how they ensure their livelihood by the (1) Traditional
pottery production knowledge, 2) Market supply and demand for traditional pottery, 3)
Business environment (production, market, and community attitudes), 4) Pottery production
contributions to the family, and 6) Pottery production using a house as a production unit
and/or association facilities. The research is a multiple case study using standard techniques
for exploring the women potters’ production and marketing of their products for their
livelihood. In-depth interviews with 40 women potters and direct observations were the major
sources of data. The 40 women potters were purposively selected from two potters association
producing pottery within their association workshops and from two groups of potters making
pots using their homes as a production unit. The research indicates that potters organized in
association have a better working environment and marketing opportunity than those
producing in their homes. It also shows that the stigma and discrimination against traditional
handicrafts producers is decreasing. The prevailing production barriers to the pottery
production activities are the lack of appropriate production tools and facilities such as pottery
firing places. The clay soil site being used as a residential construction and green area
plantation site is a crucial and burning issue to the potters which needs urgent correction by
the city administration. Analyzing the production by four groups of potters, their pots are
accepted by their customers. The potters appreciate their traditional skill and adore it.
Transferring the traditional knowledge to younger generations was a common theme. Most of
the potters had learned their skills from their mothers and are training their daughters. They
are training and are willing to train others. They accept that the gender-based division of the
traditional skill is not right; and both genders should know the skill and lead their livelihoods.
The research indicates that traditional pottery producing women should be assisted in
acquiring improved production tools such as wheels and production shades in small groups or
large association as per their preference near to their living quarters. Market outlets and
pottery design trainings are vital to potters. The level of stigma and discrimination, the relation
of the potters with intermediary traders needs further in-depth qualitative study and research
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Social Work