The women of Lawai are actively engaged in pottery work, selling their handmade goods. Currently, these women are focusing on enhancing their clay work as they look to make a profit from the land surrounding them. The group known as the ‘Naboumasi-masi Pottery Club’ in Lawai is led by Makelesi Adivugalei. She notes that there was a time when women worked primarily in the gardens with no proper shelter for their activities.
Established in 1979, the Naboumasi-masi Pottery Club began as a way for women in the community to gather and create pottery. A woman from Tailevu, who also married in Lawai, inspired other women to create a proper shelter for their work, leading to the construction of a house that still serves them today.
As their pottery activities escalated, the women began supplying local hotels in and around Sigatoka. Initially, they started working from a small outdoor area but have since moved into a larger community space dedicated to their craft, allowing them to showcase their products and connect with visitors.
Today, the club comprises 22 active female members, with five older women nearing their 70s who have been part of the community for decades. According to Makelesi, they primarily use varieties of clay that are accessible within their village, including coarser clays found nearby.
The women not only focus on pottery but also produce various items including traditional cooking pots, small bowls, and decorative pieces inspired by local flora. Makelesi believes that their craftsmanship could significantly boost their community’s economy while benefiting their families, churches, and the town’s economy.
The women routinely travel to hotels to market their craft, thus enhancing their visibility in the tourism industry. They understand the need to preserve their traditional skills, an inheritance passed down from their elders.
Makelesi encourages the younger generation to pursue education vigorously since success greatly relies on it. They also collect any profits after each month, directing funds towards community, education, and development initiatives that support their pottery work.
She emphasizes that the works generated by these women are valuable not just for the community, but for the families they support. Furthermore, Makelesi appeals to the government for assistance to uplift women who are in rural areas to enhance their craftsmanship and economic status.