BAHRAIN’S traditional potters are warning that their industry is under serious threat without access to clay and that they may be forced to shut shop by the year’s end.
Off and on these craftsmen, all from A’ali, were allowed to dig for clay in the historic Hunainiyah Valley in Riffa.
A ban was first introduced in 2007 after thieves illegally dug large pits in the valley and made off with lorry loads of clay to sell.
It was estimated that up to 2,000 truckloads of clay were taken from the valley since 2001, but the ban had an immediate impact on traditional pottery manufacturers.
By the end of 2007, potters were allowed to excavate clay from the valley over a six-month period, but only under supervision from the Southern Municipality.
The practice was stopped when large mysterious trenches were found on site.
Then in 2014, digging for clay was once again resumed, following a deal allowing potters to collect clay in May and November with all factories going in on a single day to get their needs from the site owned by Tatweer Petroleum.
However, when approached this year, the new management at Southern Municipality told potters they were unaware of any agreement since it was not in writing.
Area councillor Khalid Shajra said he was shocked to hear that the A’ali potters were banned from getting clay.
“A’ali’s potters would come two days a year to take their needs in the presence of municipal, antiquities and environmental inspectors since 2014,” he added.
“Then I was told that the process was stopped despite there being no objections from Tatweer Petroleum, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca), the Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE) and the Southern Municipal Council.
“If there are concerns about trespassing, surveillance cameras can be installed, but refusing permission for potters has a disastrous effect on the industry.”
Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman and area MP Mohammed Al Bulooshi, the area’s former municipal councillor, said he was behind the deal years ago.
“Bahrain has a global reputation in the pottery industry because of the local potters and they shouldn’t be facing obstacles and hurdles, rather they should be supported to continue existing,” he said.
“The deal is there and has not stopped, yes there is new management at the municipality, but that’s not an excuse to not allow excavation on time, which was May.”
He pointed out that the valley continued to be the richest place in Bahrain for the clay necessary for the pottery industry.
Potter Abdulnabi Al A’ali said production had dropped to its lowest point as potters are saving whatever clay they have.
“We depend 100 per cent on local clay and what we have saved from months ago is depleting, even as we share our needs,” he told the GDN.
“The deal was never scrapped, but new Southern Municipality officials are saying that they are unaware of any deal.
“The situation is dire and we have sought clarification from the Northern Governorate, the Northern Municipal Council, Parliament, Baca and Tatweer Petroleum.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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