DAP Australia - the project
Reviving Myanmar traditional pottery and creating sustained income generation through a contemporary twist.
Reviving Myanmar traditional pottery and creating sustained income generation through a contemporary twist.
​In 2015, The Myanmar Ceramic Society joined the Yangon based Dutch ceramist Ilona van de Braak in a private initiative to support the traditional potters in Twantay (less than a 2 hour-drive from Yangon).
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As of February 2018, this is with the financial support of the Direct Aid Program (DAP) of the Australian Embassy in Myanmar.
Responding to the rapidly disappearing traditional pottery industry in Myanmar, this project is contributing to livelihood development in pottery villages like Twantay by introducing new products and techniques, strengthening the cultural heritage and craftsmanship, increasing efficiency and decreasing firewood dependency, aiming for new audiences, using modern non-toxic raw materials, contributing to a more stable income, developing better occupational health and safety and a clean work environment for the potters and their families.
This small scale pilot, initiated with private funds, was established by coaching of a group of women potters and the use of safer products and techniques. The project is developing more sustainable, safer, cleaner and modern products and bringing these new products to more high end markets (middle-income nationals, expats and tourists) in Myanmar.
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The initiative is ready to be rolled out, to be professionalized and expanded to have more potters families trained and profit from its results.