THE VILLAGE OF CLAY

Molagoda, a village 24 miles from The Flame Tree Estate and Hotel and close to Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, is where most Sri Lankan come to buy earthenware of all sorts – pots of every possible size, vases, urns, bowls, stands, jugs and goblets, cutwork lampshades, birdbaths, garden ornaments and painted animals.

There are other villages that specialise in pottery but none so old as this one, which dates back to before the time of the Kandyan kings.

Almost all the families in the village are engaged in making things from clay - the still living remnants of the old feudal "rajakariya" system which dominated the island until 1832.

By means of this system, the king granted subjects land in exchange for services - anything from road or reservoir making to still more specific roles – like this: clay making. The feudal arrangement meant that whole families evolved into skilled artisans, expert at their particular craft. When the British abolished the system, many of the crafts folk carried on with their work, as they have done here at Molagoda.

Over two thirds of Sri Lanka still use clay walang pots of one sort or another for specific types of cooking, and this is what was first made here. Then, several decades ago, the potters turned themselves into a co-operative. Business boomed – and the ten families grew to over 50 now here today.

Their raw clay is sourced from the surrounding area especially Dewalegama and is soaked for several hours to soften it. Smaller pieces are then hammered with iron, the soft lumps then softened with water and kneaded. A little sand is added before the clay finds itself on the potter’s wheel being spun by hand. More elaborate piece are made using plaster of Paris moulds. The items are then fired for 14 hours in small kilns made of bricks and clay.