Photo Essay: In Twante, the dying art of traditional Myanmar pottery clings to life

Traditional pottery has long been a feature of Myanmar life, but in recent years, it appears to be fading away. In Twante, a provincial town just west of Yangon, more than 40 kilns stopped production during the Covid-19 pandemic, and most have remained closed since the 2021 coup, according to local pottery workers. Many were in operation for generations. Today, they say, the number of pottery workers in the town can be counted on one hand. Moreover, traditional kiln-made pots are being replaced by plastic items and decorative ceramic pots. The shortage of skilled pottery masters and workers, along with the increasing cost of raw materials, has caused many more pottery kilns to shut down. “I continue because of the connection I feel to this craft. In the past, there were over 20 to 25 workers at this kiln. Now, there are just a few left, and no one to carry on this tradition. The remaining workers are long-time employees, but this place will close when they pass away,” said someone who has been in the pottery business for nearly 40 years. Young people who could have carried on the tradition have migrated to large cities and foreign countries, driven by factors such as the low daily income in the pottery industry and the conscription law introduced by Myanmar’s junta earlier this year, he added. Traditional pottery is made by mixing soil from the mountains, farmland, and creeks, which is then ground in a machine. The mixture is moulded and refined, left to dry for 4-5 days under the sun, and finally baked in a kiln. People in the pottery industry say that while it takes about a week to make a traditional pot, the rising cost of materials means that selling it yields little to no profit. The pots produced in Twante’s Oe Hpo Kone Ward are sent to major pottery shops in Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions, as well as to Rakhine State and other more remote areas. However, due to transportation difficulties and a decline in orders, the pottery kilns are finding it hard to stay afloat.

Photo Essay: In Twante, the dying art of traditional Myanmar pottery clings to life

Kilns that have been in use for generations are closing, one by one, as a host of factors conspire to kill a time-honoured industry

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