Pottery-making in parts of Igboland is discussed from an ethnoarchaeological
perspective. In line with a long tradition of descriptive studies, the
pottery manufacturing processes are here outlined, but emphasis is laid
firstly on studying pottery decorations (techniques and motifs) prevalent in
parts of Igboland within their socio-cultural and economic contexts; and
secondly, on observing and studying how the Igbo people (potters and users
of pots) classify pottery products (traditional pottery classification). A
second set of observations concerns functions of pots, their distribution,
consumption, life span and eventual disposal. Finally, the paper also looks
at the social and cultural setting of pottery production — factors which
still favour pottery production in Igboland and those that may lead to its
eventual abandonment (including the status of potters in Igbo society and
the learning process of pottery manufacture).