Geoff Crispin

West Timor

2008 I worked for Australian Business Volunteers for three months in West Timor, Indonesia. This was to assist a small village pottery operation at Wepriamata near Betun.

The work involved evaluating production methods, assessing propects for expansion of the business and developing a business plan.

In 2008 there were 31 women making pots with 8 men helping out mainly with decoration and firing. Only one man was making pots as well as decorating and firing, Marselinus Teti. Pots were being sold around West Timor in the major Population centres, Kupang, Atambua, Soe and Kafir in markets and some shops. Some private sales were made direct to people who came to the village

Women collecting clay to make pots

Beatrix making pot using coils, smearing and scraping

Group of women learing to make pots. They have been making for less than 6 months

Dominous decorating clay before firing giving lines to follow for final finishing

Packing the kiln to fire using small wood grass and rice husks

L-Nickolas Sern R-Marselina Hoar

Firing the kiln takes about 4-5 hours. Centre- Dominikas Atok

Women with pot after firing. L-Edeltrudis Seuk R-Beatrix Hoar

Damianus Bria decorating pot after firing using paint

Pots packed up ready for the 7 hour bus trip to the markets in Kupang.