Dhank

Dhank has literally hundreds of potters and the region has always been considered a market leader when it comes to cottage industry. However, as fine workmanship became more widely known, demand increased and many industries have gone from simple backyard businesses to thriving industries.In fact, the elaborate kilns that dot the lovely landscape flatly show that the pottery pursuit for many has surpassed the 'cottage' cliché. The most contemporary type of kiln is large and square with four posts at each corner acting as chimneys. It is easy to not realise what these edifices are until to you get too close to one in action. The heat can be felt from several metres away and a mirage radiates around them. While most of these ovens are still fed traditional palm fronds, the voracious appetites of more recent arrivals require fronds and a rich supply of firewood.In Dhank a small bowl will cost as little as 100 baisa while a large decorative pot has a price tag of RO12.Cottage industry clichéOne business – the Alladawi Clay Pots Factory – typifies the growing nature of traditional pot making. Four industrial size kilns are in constant use and each oven produces about 100 large pieces a month.