Pottery in one form or another is one of the oldest art forms known to man. Traces of mans' creativity within the medium of clay can be traced back as far as 5000 B.C. The first uses were undoubtedly practical, using clay for the storage of foodstuffs and water but it was not long before man realised the manipulative nature of clay and began to use it as an expressive art medium. Clay was not only used in the manufacture of household items but the pigments were also used in the earliest cave paintings to create a wide variety of colours.

Clay is one of the cheapest and most abundant of all raw materials found throughout the world. Erosion and decomposition of the earth's surface is a continual process. Igneous rock is slowly eroded over thousands of years and eventually ground down to the fine particles which get washed into rivers where together with decomposing organic materials and minerals they combine to form the soil type that is known as clay. The fine flat particles cling together when wet to give clay its characteristic plastic properties.

The craft of pottery in Africa has traditionally been handed down from one generation to the next. Sadly this is becoming a forgotten art as the search for a Westernised way of life and modern manufacturing techniques make ceramic ware and plastics cheaper and more easily obtainable.

Traditionally the "potter" (usually a woman's job) uses a local source of clay which is mixed and kneaded to the correct working consistency pots are created by using coils of clay laid one on top of another until the desired shape and size is achieved, the vessel is then smoothed inside and out and decorated with traditional designs, oxides are sometimes added for colour. The pots are left to air dry and then they are placed in a shallow pit for firing. Kindling and wood is packed in between pots and lit, this is allowed to burn down to make coals whereupon dry dung is thrown on top and the pit closed. The fire burns slowly until it has burned out and the pots are cool enough to remove. The vessels are then rubbed with fat or wax giving them a glossy appearance.