Page 174 - Changing Living Spaces

Laitpharlang Cajee and Monica Mawlong

aries of the house, but for firing and marketing, human relations may ex-
tend to the village or neighbouring villages.
Pottery production is a seasonal occupation in Larnai, which villag-
ers usually adopt as a second source of income in addition to farming.
Therefore, extra time and energy are devoted to pottery making. The pro-
duction of pottery in Larnai has taken place completely apart from tech-
nological progress. No machines and chemicals are used for the produc-
tion of Larnai pottery.

Conclusion
Unlike most local pottery making centres in other parts of India, where
pottery is produced for decorative and symbolic purposes, and pottery in
Larnai plays an important role in the lives of local people, being an insep-
arable part of cooking in the region. The target market for these products
is often the local communities, who are familiar with their use.
The beautiful ensemble of lawn bowls, kettles, teapots, mugs and trays
are sold in the market and in various online stores. These clay products
are also sold to traders from different parts of Khasi and Jaintia hills and
travel as far as Mumbai and beyond. In the Jaintia hills, the pottery is
used for baking ‘pu-tha-ro’ (a local rice snack) and other rice snacks. These
pots are also used for ritual purposes. The ‘Dolloi’ of Nartiang – a village
where Durga Puja is celebrated every year – orders these products for var-
ious rituals. These vessels are also sold overseas, with Thailand being one
of the largest buyers. Modern and new designs are also being planned to
expand the product variations and beautify the existing pottery. Apart
from the Dolloi, who use the pottery made by the women artisans of this
village for religious practices, their products are also recognized interna-
tionally and are in high demand, especially in countries like Japan and
Korea, who also import and use their goods for their religious practices.
Environmental issues have become more important, so many practical
studies have been conducted on the production and use of pottery. With
the aim of spreading the culture and reducing the environmental impact
in this field, the Larnai potters have created a product that serves as a val-
uable example of research and practical action.
Studies have shown that traditional pottery in this region has many lo-
cal and environmental aspects. The explanation of these characteristics
may lead the government or private institutions to initiate planning and
policies to activate the current situation. To answer the main research
question of the study, the aspects of Larnai pottery and the evaluation of

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