6/4/2023 0 Comments Cooking pot in hiri motuTo collate the findings from this research into formats that the general public can access easily and freely, eg videos in libraries. Project Team Members who will facilitate the delivery of future village workshops will learn how to make Motu pots, so that they’re better able to motivate others to learn and ensure the longevity of the revival This would re-kindle inter-community bonds, improve quality of life, and allow them to regain more control of their own destiny and well-being, and allow other villages to once again enjoy their own traditions of cooking with traditional clay pots To investigate the possibility to revive traditional trading partnerships, eg with the Kerema people (traditionally the Motu people traded their pots for sago and other produce from the Kerema people who lived in the more fertile Gulf area). To identify outlets for Motu pottery beyond the village environment to offer village potters potential sources of additional income and give further incentive for them to maintain production To identify ways to revive the relevance of pottery to Motu people To interview Mrs Moi and record her oral history and vocabulary of Motu pottery To record as complete a vocabulary as possible To produce two films - one a general awareness video, the other a detailed technical video for educational purposes and for implementation of Gida's future revival programmes To record every perceivable process and detail of Motu pottery production, by the media of photography, video filming and written report My immediate priority in life suddenly became the salvation of the Motu pottery tradition. Motu pottery was now very much on the verge of extinction soon to be relegated to academic discussion and wistful talk of the good old days. I was filled with a stirring combination of dread and profound sadness. A month later I found out that, Asi Hisiu had passed away, leaving Boio Moi alone as the sole caretaker of her people's ancient skill. I made enquiries with Motuans and was devastated to learn that only two women remained who had practical knowledge and experience in how to make pots in the traditional Motu way - both of Boera village the elderly Asi Hisiu and her protégé niece-in-law, Vabu Lohia Muri (aka Boio Moi). It then dawned on me that my Motu people made such cooking pots - so I decided to buy some clay and make my own in the Motu tradition. In September 2014, I was scouring Australian homeware shops for unglazed earthenware cooking-pots and coming up with nothing. CUT TO AUSTRALIA - THE PAINFUL BIRTH OF 'OPERATION RARO':
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