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A Ceramic Safari in East Africa

My ceramic safari continued through Ethiopia to Uganda and from there I went to Kenya to work with their Ministry of Commerce, Department of Industry. The legions of tourists that come to Kenya are here to see the wildlife, however, not ceramics. But there is adventure in technology transfer that leads into uncharted areas where appropriate technology in the high temperature processes must be tried, adequately researched and documented. Further areas that need appropriate research include: development of appropriate mould materials as alternatives to plaster-of-paris for casting and pressing; identification and winning of minerals on a micro-scale; development of an appropriate glazed food storage container; and an effective low-cost water filter. While having done work in each of these areas, I am also developing appropriate electric test kilns and their refractories and appropriate crucibles for high temperature processes. All these must be made using available resources because Western-style supplies are rarely available. There is some literature available on this subject and what first comes to mind is Cardew's classic, Pioneer Pottery, based on his own ceramic journey in Nigeria. But a more recent and comprehensive approach to ceramic education and training can be found in a four-volume set of books "The Self Reliant Potters Series," by Henrik Norsker and James Danisch and published by GATE, the German Appropriate Technology Exchange. This series offers the only information of its kind on simplified, appropriate technology of ceramics. Its volumes include: Clay Materials, Refractories and Kilns, Glazes, and Forming Processes. But with respect, Norsker and Danisch's invaluable contribution is only the tip of the iceberg. Each section of each of the four books suggests volumes of additional research.

Another set of books is the series "Build Your Own Metal Working Shop from Scrap," by David Gingery, published in the United States by Lindsay Publications. The seven volumes in this series start with a book called "Build a Charcoal Foundry." The second book in the series is called "Build a Metal Lathe." Again, using scrap metal, the cast parts needed for the lathe can be made with the help of the charcoal foundry already built. Gingery's subsequent books tell how to make a drill press, a shaper, a milling machine and all the other accessories needed in a complete metal fabrication shop. All these machines can be made using parts turned on the lathe. The cost of the entire metal fabrication shop is negligible. Through Gingery's books and those of Norsker and Danisch, the means of industrialisation through ceramics and metal are adequately proven. One other book on appropriate technology makes the case for small projects. This is the Schumacher classic "Small is Beautiful." This book stresses developing skills and traditions in various crafts and underlines the problems with large scale industries.

Above: Stalls for foot-mixing brick materials will soon be replaced by a mechanised mixer. This will help make possible the drier mix needed for uniform bricks and proper stacking, resulting in better bricks and reduced fuel consumption.

Left: Low-fire ceramic drums, Dajo, Sudan.

The history of failure of large projects is understood. A brick plant requires electricity for blowers but can get none. A vocational school in the desert has massive machines but neither teachers nor students. But there still exists an impetus to create and fund these white elephants. The allure of a quick fix is irresistible, and the subsequent news of failure is easily squelched. There is a lack of commitment by donors, contractors and beneficiaries, starting with a feeling that no one really owns the project.

So what can we do? If you want to help bring ceramics and micro-enterprise to developing countries, start by telling people that teapots are beautiful, but there is a whole lot more to ceramics. Inform donors and politicians just how vital ceramics is in the development process. Tell them that education and training are the only key inputs and that in developing countries, all other resources are locally available. Let them know that ceramic manufacturers' products make possible a wide variety of other micro-scale industries and that your country's development assistance should be applied to such projects. Get together with other ceramists you know and find ways of assisting ceramists in developing countries.

The goal of this safari is to give individuals a decent and productive livelihood through micro-enterprise and help them to stem environmental degradation at the same time.

Many thanks to Reid Harvey for the use of this article. Reid has lived with his family in Nairobi, Kenya, where he worked as a ceramic design consultant. He has had further experiences in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya This article was originally published in Ceramics Technical. Used by permission.

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