SOTO'OTE: TO MAKE POTTERY
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Yaqui Clay History
Yaqui Clay History
The use of clay in Native American cultures depended on a tribes access to clay, practical uses, cultural practices, use of arts and crafts, and more.
Like many other Indigenous people, us Yoemem historically utilized clay for similar purposes. Most famously, we traditionally practiced the art of creating decorative pottery with intricate designs.
Few Yaqui/Yoeme ceramic artists exist today and limited knowledge on traditional practices and methods were found.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Harvesting Clay
Harvesting Clay
Traditional clay harvesting on our homelands relied heavily on access to and stewardship of the Rio Yaqui River. Today, the river is heavily contaminated and majorly impacts health of many Indigenous communities including water access and cultural practices. The pollution too severely impacts the chemical makeup of the clay bodies, making them unsustainable to harvest today. However, clay can potentially be harvested wild if a natural source is found untouched.
Pit Firing
Pit Firing
Let wet clay dry for several days
Dig a shallow pit on a day without wind
Begin a small fire to warm up pots and preheat rocks for resting pots
After a fire is burnt to ash, place warm pots apart
Create dome with split hardwood
Place kindling under pots and over thickest parts of hardwood
Avoid quick changes in temperature.
Let fire burn down for about 1 1/2 hours
Cover with sod and put out the fire with wet grass/leaves except for a small hole at the top
Remove pots after an hour of cooling
Mythology
Mythology
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