The life of a louceira (ceramist) Kariri - Xocó

Abstract

Valdete da Silva, nicknamed Dé, is a sixty-four-year-old indigenous Kariri-Xocó, recognized inside and outside the village as a louceira. Women, with an average of 40 to 65 years of age, are called louceiras, who make pots, casseroles, frying pans, pots and couscous pans, a work considered to be part of their “culture”.

The Kariri-Xocó people live in the Lower São Francisco, in Northeastern Brazil, in the municipality of Porto Real do Colégio – Alagoas. Since 1940, the practice of manufacturing clay pieces, called dishware, was already focused exclusively on the livelihood of families, either through the sale and/or exchange for food, mainly carried out at fairs in the cities of Propriá, Maceió, Arapiraca and São Sebastião, in Sergipe and Alagoas.

Manufacturing usually takes place between the months of October, November and December. The first stage of production of the pieces begins with the removal of the clay, in places called “barreiros”. As they walk towards the "barreiros", they smoke the xanduca (pipe) and sing rojões (work chants). When they find the “veins of the earth” (good clay), they use a hoe to extract the clay. When they find the “veins of the earth” (good clay), they use a hoe to extract the clay. With the basket or can well filled, they put it on the head on a “rudia” (cloth to put over the head) and thus return to their homes. Some have a wheelbarrow, which facilitates the handling and transport of clay.

At home, they intersperse the breaking of clay with domestic activities. This step is usually performed in the backyard, sitting on the floor or on a wooden or stone seat. After the clay is broken, he adds water, softening it; then it is covered with a tarpaulin or bag to rest and the work is resumed the next day, when the sifted sand is added.

As soon as the clay reaches a smooth consistency, the processes of “frojar” (forging) begin, also known as lifting the pieces in a long-lasting format; and “embojar” – modeling the pieces in a round shape. Then these are put to dry for two days. Once dry, they receive the “boca – mouth” (upper part). Later on, the pieces are finished: they are “capiada” or “rapada” (removal of excess clay) with a “paieta” (pallet), then “assentadas” with a cloth submerged in water and tauá and then “alisadas – smoothed” with the seed known as “ox's eye” (Leucanthemum vulgare). The last step is “Queimação” – burning, which is important for the quality and durability of the piece. Finally, the pots, casseroles, pans, pots and clay couscous pans are ready.

The work with clay is basically feminine, but not exclusive to the women's universe, men usually participate in the last stages: removal of wood and burning of the pieces. Learning to become a Kariri-Xocó "louceira" takes place within a family structure, through a network of relatives, especially through the relationship between grandmothers, mothers, daughters, nieces and goddaughters. It was no different with Dé, who learned the craft of “louceira” from her mother, of whom she is very proud.