African Handmade Collectibles
Medium : Zulu pots are all made from clay sourced from river banks. This clay is then hand-shaped, smoothed, and fired in open-air fire pits
Size : 8.2 Dia x 8.6 H inches
Zulu pots are hand coiled from clay, with hand etched shallow relief motifs, then burnished and fired in an open pit, in the Kwazulu Natal midlands in South Africa.
For the Zulus of South Africa, beer is an important part of ceremony and socialising, with a fabulous origin story. The first beer of the Zulu people is connected to a woman - the goddess Mbaba Mwana Wares. Mbaba Mwana Wares is the goddess of rain, rainbows, agriculture and fertility, living in the sky on a rainbow. With this story, she also won the title of Goddess of Beer!
The story goes like this: Mbaba Mwana Wares could not find a suitable husband in heaven so she decided to find her soulmate among mortals, coming down to Earth to try her luck. She was won over by a herdsman, Thandiwe, who wooed her with a beautiful song. Mbaba and Thandiwe were set to get married, but the union of a goddess and a human upset the other gods. To win their approval, Mbaba brewed the first beer, which worked as beer does—it turned their mood and made them happy! To keep the camaraderie going, Mbaba passed on the knowledge of brewing beer to the Zulu people. The tradition is alive and well to this day, with Zulu women brewing their beer from sorghum as an ode to Mbaba Mwana Wares.
Care instructions :
Handling & Placement
Always handle with both hands, supporting the base to avoid pressure on delicate edges.
Place on a stable, flat surface to prevent tipping.
Use protective felt pads if placing on delicate surfaces.
Cleaning
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth or a soft natural-bristle brush.
If needed, wipe gently with a slightly damp cloth, then dry immediately.
Avoid abrasive cloths, scrubbing pads, or chemical cleaners.
Do not submerge in water or wash under running water.
