Women from the village of Lawai are venturing into pottery, engaging in traditional handicrafts. They are focusing on enhancing the utilization of their surrounding land for pottery production to generate income. The organization known as the ‘Naboumasi Pottery Club’ is leading this initiative.
Makelesi Adivugalei, the club’s leader, explained that in the past, women would craft pottery outdoors without any shelter. In 1979, the village began to see organized efforts as Makelesi also formed the women’s group specifically for pottery-making.
One woman from Tailevu, now married to a resident of Lawai, mentioned that the persistent efforts of these women led to the creation of a house for pottery work that continues to benefit them today. Over time, the women have expanded their work and are providing their pottery items to nearby hotels in Sigatoka.
Originally, they produced pottery items from a small thatched house, but today they have a large workshop where the women can create their crafts and are even supported by local buyers who visit to see their work.
Currently, 22 women are active members of the club. Notably, there are even five elderly women in their 70s who are known for their pottery skills, making Lawai a distinctive community recognized for its traditional crafts.
Makelesi pointed out that there are preferred types of clay that the women utilize, especially locally available earthy clay. In addition to pottery, they also create related items such as small clay jars and decorative pieces.
She emphasized that their efforts in pottery making could significantly contribute to income generation for families, villages, churches, and even the government.
It was noted that these women often travel to local hotels not only to showcase their pottery but also to promote their community’s craftsmanship. Makelesi stressed the importance of preserving these traditional crafts which originated from their ancestors.
She stated, “If we do not advocate for ourselves, we may not achieve anything.” This message encourages women to work diligently as they engage in community activities, rather than solely relying on outside markets for selling their goods.
After a month of gathering resources through sales, they intend to distribute their earnings to local churches and support the professional growth of women in their community.
Makelesi also called upon the government to assist if there are any resources available to help the women in the more remote villages. She advised young people to strive for education so they can secure their future, underscoring that education is the key to ongoing financial success.