DESIGN IN JUA KALI POTTERY IN KENYA A project submitted in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design, University of Nairobi LORRAINE AMOLLO June 2007 This project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University This project has been submitted for examination with my approval as University of Nairobi Supervisor Dr J. P. Odoch To my family Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................i LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.....................................................................................iii LIST OF FLOW CHARTS......................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................... vi LIST OF GRAPHS.................................................................................................... vii DEFINITION OF TERMS.......................................................................................viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................... ix ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................. x 1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the problem................................................................................ 1 1.2 The Problem.........................................................................................................4 1.3 Purpose of the Study............................................................................................4 1.4 Hypotheses...........................................................................................................4 1.5 Objectives.............................................................................................................5 1.6 Questions to be answered in the study..............i................................................ 5 1.7 Significance of the study......................................................................................5 1.8 Limitations............................................................................................................6 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................................................7 2.1 Design.................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Design in Mass Production..................................................................................9 2.3 Product design and Development..................................................................... 12 2.4 Industrialisation in Africa................................................................................. 18 2.5 Micro Enterprise in Kenya.................................................................................20 2.6 Pottery in Kenya................................................................................................ 23 2.7 Working with Clay............................................................................................. 29 2.8 Design in Pottery............................................................................................... 32 3.0 METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................. 36 3.1 Conceptual Framework......................................................................................36 3.2 Research Design................... 39 3.21 Data collection and analysis....................................................................... 40 3.22 Scope of Study.............................................................................................. 42 4.0 ANALYSIS............................................................................................................46 4.1 Paro Cultural Project........................................................................ 46 4.11 Idea Generation........................................................................................... 48 4.12 Production................................................................................................... 48 4.13 Promotion.....................................................................................................57 4.2 Litoyi pottery......................................................................................................60 4.21 Idea generation............................................................................................ 61 4.22 Production................................................................................................... 62 4.23 Promotion.....................................................................................................69 4.3 African Clay & Arts............................................................. 70 4.31 Idea generation........................................................... *.............................. 70 4.32 Production........................ 72 4.33 Promotion.....................................................................................................76 4.4 Cross-Case synthesis.......................................................................................... 77 4.5 Relationship between design and Jua kali..........................................................83 5.0 CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................84 5.1 Summary............................................................................................................84 5.2 Recommendations.............................................................................................. 87 5.3 Implications for Further Research..................................................................... 93 6.0 APPENDICES.................... 94 7.0 REFERENCES...................................................................................................115 u List of Illustrations Illustration 1: Bukusu pots (Source: Wandibba 1999 pg 29)......................................25 Illustration 2: Planters and flowers pots (Source: Jua Kali Pottery Enterprise)........27 Illustration 3: The evolution and rise of the Nairobi based Jua kali pottery scene according to Langenkamp’s research (Source: Langenkamp 2000, pg 278-279)...... 28 Illustration 4 (a-d): Source: King (Ed) 2001 pgs 28,6, 24, 50).................................. 35 Illustration 5: Paro cultural project workshop.............................................................46 Illustration 6: Images from magazines used by the potters to get ideas.....................48 Illustration 7: Clay preparation.................................................................................. 49 Illustration 8: An illustration of the drying trough lined with linen cloth..................50 Illustration 9: Dried clay is kneaded and left to stand to dry some more................... 50 Illustration 10: Modelling on the manual potter’s wheel............................................. 51 Illustration 11: Vessels modelled on the wheel and left to dry before firing............... 52 Illustration 12: Tools used for decoration and the decoration process....................... 52 Illustration 13: An illustration of the kiln used at Paro.............................................. 53 Illustration 14: The bark of the ‘oruech’ used to stain bisqueware..............................54 Illustration 15: The bisqueware is stained and fired lightly over a charcoal burner... 55 Illustration 16: Finished wares stacked on the shelves and packed in used cartons ... 55 Illustration 17: Finished products by Paro................................................................... 56 Illustration 18: Business card used by Paro................................................................. 57 Illustration 19: List of Products at Paro....................................................................... 57 Illustration 20: A photo album used as a catalogue of products at Paro..................... 58 Illustration 21: An exhibition by Paro at a mall...........................................................59 Illustration 22: Litoyi workshop...................................................................................60 Illustration 23: Some of the books use at Litoyi to source for ideas.......................... 62 Illustration 24: Modelling being done by hand on a turn table...................................64 Illustration 25. An animal figurine is added to the modelled vessel............................64 Illustration 26: Modelled vessels allowed to dry.........................................................65 Illustration 27: Open firing.......................................................................................... 66 Illustration 28: Staining and painting of bisqueware....................................................67 Illustration 29. Finished products from Litoyi.............................................................68 Illustration 30: Photographs use at Litoyi to show available products........................ 69 Illustration 31: Sketches done by the designer showing how ideas are developed.... 71 Illustration 32: Clay mixture poured into troughs to dry............................................. 73 Illustration 33: Throwing done on an electrical wheel...............................................