Promoting Iteso cultural values through ceramics inspired by Eritei (winnowing tray)

Abstract

Uganda has a rich cultural heritage, and many contemporary artists draw inspiration from traditional practices, rituals and objects. However, the unique design and cultural significance of the winnowing tray, which the researcher used has not been reflected into ceramics for interior and exterior cultural spaces. The researcher used the Eritei (winnowing tray) of the Iteso as a source of inspiration to produce ceramic artifacts for interior and exterior cultural and contemporary spaces to promote the Iteso cultural values. The objectives of the study were; to establish the cultural values of the Iteso associated with Eritei (Winnowing tray), to generate design ideas for creating ceramic artifacts inspired by the Eritei (winnowing tray), and to produce ceramic artifacts inspired by the Eritei (winnowing tray) to promote the Iteso cultural values. The study employed an exploratory research design and a qualitative approach. Eighteen respondents participated in the study. Data was collected from cultural spaces like the Uganda Museum, Nomo Gallery and Teso Cultural Research Centers; using interviews. Through studio experimentation, several trails on different designs of the Eritei (winnowing tray) of the Iteso were carried out to test their workability in clay. The researcher used hand building (pinch, slab, and coil), casting and wheel throwing methods to produce the ceramic artifacts. The study found that the discrepancies between traditional cultural values of the Iteso and modernity, coupled with misuse of social media, religion and economic aspects, have influenced people's attitudes especially among the youth in Kanyipa village, Bukedea district. The study's deduction was that produced ceramic artifacts such as wall hangings, water pots, and wall clocks inspired by the Eritei, can be used to promote Iteso cultural values in interior and exterior cultural and contemporary spaces. Drawing from the conversations with participants, studio explorations and available literature, the study recommends that the cultural values of the Iteso be preserved and passed on from generation to generation so that they do not deteriorate. Further studies could investigate research gaps; other than the winnowing tray, other lteso art crafts that also portray the Iteso cultural values.