On the afternoon of Jan 9th a small group of us went to visit with a Nicaraguan village that is known for their pottery. While we were there, we got to actually watch one of the villagers make a piece of pottery. I was amazed that he was able to spin a fairly large piece of pottery in less than 5 minutes. It was also very interesting learning about the different tools they use in the pottery making process. For example, their polishing tools and colors were from various rocks, minerals, or even seeds that are native to the land. Also, the paintbrushes were made from old pens and the hair of some of the women in the village and the detailing tools were made from bicycle spokes. It was truly an amazing process and the resulting lives of pottery were fantastic.
Photo by Abby Motter
There was so much we learned from this visit especially about culture and tradition. It was amazing that these people were able to continue using the same process for hundreds of years and keep creating the same incredible pottery. I also think it’s awesome that the whole community was brought together towards the common goal of preserving their tradition and culture. 95% of the villagers are involved in the pottery making process and it is their main source of income. We were only there for a short time, but they definitely taught us a lot.
Photo by Abby Motter
Before coming to Nicaragua, I had a goal of making some sort of personal growth during the program. The visit with the pottery making village definitely stuck some chords with me. After the visit and while I was journaling I realized that I hope to preserve the rich tradition and even the culture that I have had in my life. This could be anything from baking the same famous cookie recipes as my grandma and great-grandma to continuing to keep in touch with my huge extended family through family reunions or other events. The village really showed me the importance of tradition, culture, and family.