Pottery Production An Asset For Women Livelihood Case Study On Kechene Women Potters In Addis Ababaa

The thesis explores the livelihoods of the women potters in the Kechene neighbourhood, inrnAddis Ababa, Ethiopia. It focuses on how they ensure their livelihood by the (1) Traditionalrnpottery production knowledge, 2) Market supply and demand for traditional pottery, 3)rnBusiness environment (production, market, and community attitudes), 4) Pottery productionrncontributions to the family, and 6) Pottery production using a house as a production unitrnand/or association facilities. The research is a multiple case study using standard techniquesrnfor exploring the women potters’ production and marketing of their products for theirrnlivelihood. In-depth interviews with 40 women potters and direct observations were the majorrnsources of data. The 40 women potters were purposively selected from two potters associationrnproducing pottery within their association workshops and from two groups of potters makingrnpots using their homes as a production unit. The research indicates that potters organized inrnassociation have a better working environment and marketing opportunity than thosernproducing in their homes. It also shows that the stigma and discrimination against traditionalrnhandicrafts producers is decreasing. The prevailing production barriers to the potteryrnproduction activities are the lack of appropriate production tools and facilities such as potteryrnfiring places. The clay soil site being used as a residential construction and green arearnplantation site is a crucial and burning issue to the potters which needs urgent correction byrnthe city administration. Analyzing the production by four groups of potters, their pots arernaccepted by their customers. The potters appreciate their traditional skill and adore it.rnTransferring the traditional knowledge to younger generations was a common theme. Most ofrnthe potters had learned their skills from their mothers and are training their daughters. Theyrnare training and are willing to train others. They accept that the gender-based division of therntraditional skill is not right; and both genders should know the skill and lead their livelihoods.rnThe research indicates that traditional pottery producing women should be assisted inrnacquiring improved production tools such as wheels and production shades in small groups orrnlarge association as per their preference near to their living quarters. Market outlets andrnpottery design trainings are vital to potters. The level of stigma and discrimination, the relationrnof the potters with intermediary traders needs further in-depth qualitative study and research

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