I chose to present about Berber pottery because it is an interesting topic, and there is a lot of information to talk about.

I would like to start talking about the materials of which the potteries are made out of. The potteries are made out of clay, different colors and types of clay make different potteries. The clay is collected in the nearby area because Berbers can’t travel too far to get a specific type of clay to make a plate.
After the clay is collected, it is separated from the rocks. Then it is washed and stranded to make is softer to model. To shape the clay, water is used. When it is a matter of little objects like plates or cups, only water and human hands are used. When we are talking about bigger objects like jugs and bowls a potter’s wheel is used. That wheel is spun with their feet or by a pedal to make the shaping easier for the craftsman.
After the product is shaped, it is left in the sun out to dry. After it is dry, the pottery is put in a mud and cow manure oven, so that it can contain liquids or stay at a hot temperature for a long time.
After the baking, the object is decorated. To decorate the object, the Berbers paint them. The dyes are made out of leaves, seeds and spices crushed together and then mixed with water. Since Berbers don’t have brushes, they use donkey hairs tied together to paint. Nowadays Berbers start using chemical dyes because it is more time convenient
Three different Regions, 3 different beauties.
Al Hoceima: The Al Hoceima potteries depict many different beautiful pictures, but they depict oars, ships and sails. It said that the Phoenicians once conquered north of Morocco, and the Al Hoceima people saw ships and started depicting them. The Al Hoceima region is a little bit more sophisticated than the other regions because they use gas ovens, paintbrushes and chemical dyes for their potteries. But these changes don’t make them any worse than other potteries. The Al Hoceima potteries are usually made by women, most of the potteries made are daily objects.


Ouazzane: The Ouazzane region potteries are just as beautiful as the Al Hoceima regional potteries. The designs for the Ouazzane region are made with natural dyes. The designs always are 2 different colors on white. Unlike the Al Hoceima region, the Ouzzane people don’t only make daily objects but they let their children take the remains of clay and make toys out of them.

Chefchaouen: The Chefchaouen potteries also are very beautiful. The potteries from these regions are not painted at all. The designs are poked into the clay with a fine piece of wood. The patterns and designs are geometrical and make different figures. The Chefchouen potter are made only by 2 elder women.

Why should we preserve Berber pottery: Real Answer
I don’t think that me myself should preserve Berber pottery. Honestly I do not really care about Berbers and their pottery. They are the ones that should chose if they want change or not. No one should get involved in their matters. If they want to preserve their pottery and their culture, I highly encourage it, but I am not the one who should make this decision. Frankly, I think that only the Berbers should have the choice to keep their culture or not. But every culture will fade, it is a fact. Many cultures have already faded. If the Berber culture shall fade now, it is not my choice it is the Berbers’ will to make that happen. As I said before, I don’t care about Berber pottery, but it would be nice, since Berbers are a unique ethnic group, that they keep passing on their traditions and their culture, to keep this beautiful culture alive for a little longer. Let the ignorant people admire your unique work of beauty.

Answer that everyone has given

I think we should preserve Berber (whatever their topic was) because it is part of their identity, it identifies them best….. and things like that.
They were only answering like that because Mr. Uariachi said it once in class and they thought that was the answer. I differ, and I think you should be honest with every answer you give.

By Tito Madeddu