via Vietnam Plus, 16 June 2023: The art of pottery making by the Cham people in Vietnam has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, celebrated with a ceremony in Ninh Thuan province.
Cham pottery products are mainly household utensils, religious objects, and fine art works, including jars, pots, trays, and vases. They are made by women and viewed as an expression of individual creativity based on the knowledge transmitted within the community. Instead of using a turntable, the women revolve around the piece to shape it. The pottery is not glazed but fired outdoors with firewood and straw for seven to eight hours, at a temperature of about 800 degrees Celsius. Raw materials (clay, sand, water, firewood and straw) are collected locally, and the knowledge and skills are passed on to younger generations within families through hands-on practice.
