Simulating Sirigu Pottery for Sustainable Ornamental Purposes: Ghanaian Indigenous Vegetable-Tanned Leather for Studio-Based Experimentation

Abstract

In Ghana, pots are closely related to the social history of the people, even to the present time. They are commonly manufactured from clay and used to serve varied domestic purposes such as water storage, local beer (Pito) storage, cooking, bathing, and planting flowers, to mention a few. The women of Sirigu in the Upper East Region of Ghana are highly engaged in the production of pots from clay and paint them artistically with traditional colours, and symbols for the local and international markets. This lucrative economic activity has contributed to the improved livelihood of the Sirigu women and also positioned the Sirigu village as a destination for tourists. Considering the weight of clay pots and their fragile nature, vis-à-vis transportation issues, this study found it interesting to follow studio-based research approach to create mimicked versions of Sirigu pots for ornamental purposes as a means of expanding the frontiers of the indigenous pottery and painting concepts to contribute to the sustainability of the socio-economic significance of the pottery heritage of the area. In this studio-based research, indigenous vegetable-tanned leather from Bolgatanga (the Capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana) has been identified, manipulated into pot samples, and painted to have an artistic semblance to the Sirigu clay pots to serve ornamental purposes in homes, offices, and hotels, to mention a few. It was found that the indigenous vegetable tanned leather possesses the ability to respond to manipulations into pots of various shapes and forms, and be painted to simulate clay pots.  The ornamental purpose of the leather pots was tested with flowers of all kinds, and it proved positive for interior beautification.