Tunisia, the village of Hellala
On the southern side of the island of Djerba in Tunisia is a very unusual place – the village of Hellala. Its name is translated from the Djerbina dialect as “pot” for a reason – this place has been famous for its pottery since ancient times. This is the only place on Djerba where all the inhabitants communicate with each other in Berber language.
Local pottery has a special technology for making pottery, which was previously kept secret – clay for future products is dipped in salt water and kept there for a certain time, or simply mixed with sea water. After mixing, the clay dries for several days.
The finished product is sent to dry for a half to two months. Finally, dried dishes are burned in furnaces half-dug into the ground for four days. Moreover, now, like many centuries ago, white clay is mined at a depth of 80 meters.
In the village of Hella there are a little more than 450 pottery workshops! Therefore, it is not surprising that for many centuries this village has been the main supplier of ceramic dishes and other earthenware throughout Tunisia. Due to its high quality, until the end of the nineteenth century, the Beys took the products of this village instead of a significant part of taxes.
The most popular and famous form that glorified the masters of this region is the amphora. In addition to this traditional vessel in the village of Hella, potters make cups, large jugs, bowls, dishes, small vessels for storing spices, incense, vinegar and oil.
On the territory of the village there is an ethnographic museum, which will certainly be interesting to visit anyone. Here you can learn about the life of the local people – the Dherbins. The exhibition presents objects from ceramics, examples of traditional clothing and skillful jewelry.
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