ME and I took a day trip to Bahrain on Easter Sunday. We decided to visit A’ali a small town in Bahrain famous for its pottery crafts and then have an Easter lunch at the Hotel Sofital, known for its great views of the gulf. Pottery in this area dates back to the 4th millennium BC, about 6000 years ago. Archeologists believe that the craft originated in Bahrain. Amazingly this craft is still being practiced in almost the exact same way with little or no resort to modern devices. The skills have been passed down generation to generation, the number of craftsman have declined but the potters have remained true to their tradition. The potters still use the old fashioned wheel, operated by foot and the finished pieces are often baked in kilns built into nearby burial mounds. (Burial mounds is another post.) A special mud which is found locally is mixed with water and placed on a wheel to be shaped by the artisan hands, it is then left outside to dry. Once it is dried it is placed in a kiln to finish the harden process. From there it is decorated and sometimes glazed
ME outside one of the many pottery workshops
pottery sitting out in the sun drying
more pots
bowels being finished
more pots waiting to be finished
the artisan sits below the floor and moves a wheel with his feet to form the pottery
kiln on the left is sealed up with clay baking the pots, on the right, pottery cooling after being fired
baking the pots,
close up of the opened kiln, you can feel the heat when standing near the kiln
looking inside the kiln
finished goods for sale
entrance to another workshop
men working on the wheel
items for sale
. many shapes and sizes
pitchers, I thought where really nice
items for sale
ME enjoying Easter lunch and view
it was very windy so we sat inside
gulf view
Sofitel beach