Ceramic Pots And It’s Significance To African Culture

By Mhakwe Heritage Foundation Trust (MHFT)

Indigenous pottery dates back to prerecorded period.

It has been established by anthropologists that pottery was made in large quantities in Southern Africa pottery of the earliest age located in Zimbabwe.

Skills on ceramic pots have been handed over from generation to generation but has also not been spared from the exogenous influence from the western civilization.

Some of the advantages of ceramic pots are that they don’t rust , they are easily accessible and locally available, they don’t produce chemicals which are detrimental to health.

Ceramic pots are known to naturally produce alkaline which neutralizes the acidic nature of food, return the PH and makes the food taste better.

Ceramic pots are made for specific purposes.

These are some of the Names and uses of the ceramic vessels.

1, Mbiya/Chidodo – Used to serve relish,

Maybe used for spiritual purposes. eg Mapositori or traditional healer’s.

2, Gate – The large vessel is used for storying food.

Can also be used for spiritual purposes.

3, Chirongo- Used to store water.

4, Rukonde /Biso Large pot used to brew beer.

5, Mbizo Used to ferment beer

6, Pfiko. The vessel is used to serve beer, Maheu or water. It can also be called ceramic fridge.

7, Pfuko. The vessel is used to serve beer, maheu, water.

8, Tsambakodzi/Tsaiya- The pot is used cook Sadza, Brocken peaces of pot which can be used to other stuff.

9. Flower pots. These are use to grow flowers.

10. Chainga-Brocken peaces of pots are used to rost maize, Nuts or medicine among others.