Women from the village of Lawai are actively engaging in artisanal pottery, selling their handmade crafts. With limited opportunities for other types of handiwork, these women aim to effectively utilize their available land for pottery production as a means of income generation.
The women have formed a group known as the ‘Naboumasi-masi Pottery Club’, led by Makelesi Adivugalei. She highlighted that in the past, they primarily produced pottery outside and lacked dedicated facilities for their activities.
The pottery tradition in Lawai dates back to 1979 when Makelesi also founded the women’s group focused on handcrafting pottery. One woman from Tailevu, married into the village, was motivated by the longstanding pottery-making efforts of the local women. Today, she has helped establish a dedicated space for their craft, which has continued to grow in scale.
Initially, these women operated in a small hut, but now they benefit from a larger workspace to collaborate and showcase their crafts, with 22 women currently involved in the enterprise.
Additionally, five seasoned women, aged around 70, are contributing their expertise. Lawai is known for its unique clay resources, which are integral to their work.
The pottery produced includes a variety of items such as pots, small jars, and decorative pieces, made using their locally sourced clay. The members of the club emphasize the importance of their artistic work for both personal and community development.
Makelesi pointed out that through their efforts, the women can create a sustainable income stream for their community and their families.
The women frequently participate in exhibitions at local hotels to display and sell their pottery, earning recognition for their crafts outside the village. They believe it is crucial to continue nurturing these traditional handicrafts, which have roots in their ancestors’ practices.
Regarding financial contributions, after each month, the women gather the earnings which are then distributed to support their families, community projects, and the local church. They advocate for financial support from the government to further assist these women in expanding their endeavors.
Makelesi encourages young people to pursue education diligently, noting that success in their studies can effectively lead to future economic opportunities.