The Professional Roles of Women Potters in Traditional Society: A Case of Erusu Akoko, Ondo State

Author(s): O. A. Fatuyi

Pottery is one of the traditional crafts widely practised in Nigeria even till date especially in the South-western part dominated by the Yoruba speaking people. There is little doubt that the professional roles that female potters take in several local communities hold social-economic importance which deserves more attention than has been accorded. This article attempts to review the state of traditional pottery production in South-western Nigeria with a special focus on a surviving pottery tradition of Erusu Akoko, Ondo state. In particular, the paper demonstrates the pottery production technique still practiced by women potters in the study area. It is observable that the current state of the craft raises grave concerns of survival as traditional potters are ageing in the face of the modern-day technology.

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