jerdl (milk pail with lid), unrecorded Hawazma artist

Exhibition Label:
"Earthly Vessels: African Ceramics," Sep-2009, Nancy Mahaney
Commercial Wares for Daily Use

Imported plastic containers or enamelware are replacing ceramic vessels in many African communities. Decreasing demand for pottery means fewer women are choosing to become potters. Still, many people still prefer to use clay pots for ceremonies or other events that are viewed as more traditional, and many people also believe that the clay pots lend a better flavor to cooked foods and beer, as opposed to the metallic flavor that comes from enamelware or tin.

The Hawazma (a sub-group of the Baggara) of Central Sudan are a nomadic group that relies heavily on milk and cheese production, often requiring women to travel long distances to sell their products at markets in larger towns. Because they often carry large quantities of milk and water over long distances, the Hawazma have traditionally used lightweight vessels made from gourds or basketry, which are now being replaced or supplemented with similarly lightweight materials like enamel buckets and plastic jugs.