Iraq's ancient pottery industry struggling in a modern era — in pictures

Cheaper materials threaten livelihood of potters

A potter worker moulds pottery on a spinning wheel in his factory in the town of Nahrawan near Baghdad, Iraq May 7, 2023. Pottery has deep roots in Iraq’s ancient civilisations, clay was used to build homes, shape cooking pots, and clay pots were used to grass plants and Iraqis still use pottery, such as a large clay-made bowl, to keep water cool, especially in areas where there is no electricity or water. REUTERS / Ahmed Saad

Pottery has deep roots in Iraq, where ancient civilisations relied on it for cooking pots and jugs to keep water cool

Potters had an important social and economic role in the past

Families practising this profession were called kawaz

Iraqis still use ceramics to keep water cool, especially in areas where there is no electricity or water

However, the use of plastic and metal containers, which are cheaper, has threatened the livelihood of potters

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