The traditional pottery-making of the M’nong R’lam ethnic group in  Dak Lak province is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. (Photo: H’Xiu/VOV)

90% of the Yang Tao commune population are M'nong R’lam, an ethnic group famous for their pottery. They use the local clay to make common pottery items and barter them for rice or cattle with neighboring Ede and Jarai ethnic groups. Almost every Yang Tao woman knows how to make pottery as ceramic products are profitable. The living standard of the villagers has improved thanks to their pottery craft.

Although M'nong R’lam pottery products are not diverse or colorful, they are reminders of the founding and growth of the commune, says pottery artisan H’Phiet Uong. He recalled, “M'nong R’lam people often use their pottery to cook rice and soup. Rice cooked by earthenware is very delicious.”

The M'nong R’lam pottery-making process has changed little over the years. The extracted clay is pounded and shaped, unmixed with any other material. During the shaping, no turntable is used. The lump of clay is placed on a large piece of wood where it is shaped by the artisan. Everything is done by the skilled hands of the artisan. No machinery is used. The molded product is then sun-dried.

When the clay has dried sufficiently, flat bamboo sticks or porcupine quills are used to draw stylized grass, flowers, circles or simple geometric shapes around the edge of the pot, jar, or steamer. After a day or two, when the product is almost dry, the potter rubs its surface with a smooth pebble until it is shiny. Then the product is dried completely before being fired.

The pottery firing technique of the M’nong R’lam is special. They don’t use a kiln. They fire the product over a wood fire in the open air for 30 minutes. To enhance the product’s shiny black finish, the fire is extinguished by covering it with chaff.

Dr. Luong Thanh Son, a folklore researcher, said that the clay used by the M’nong R’lam people to make pottery is not mixed with any other ingredients. “They bring the clay back home, pound and mold it. After firing, the pottery products are durable and beautiful. People in the surrounding area use M’nong R’lam pottery quite a lot and even now there are many people using it,” Son noted.

Each pottery product of M’nong R’lam ethnic group is a unique item. (Photo: H’Xiu/VOV)

In recent years M'nong R’lam pottery has received a lot of attention from tourists visiting Yang Tao commune. As a result, these products have become more diverse and the artisans have their income increased.

Y Tho Mlo, Vice Chairman of the commune’s People's Committee, says that recognition of M'nong R’lam pottery as a national intangible cultural heritage is opening up new opportunities and a wider market. He added, “The district and the National Target Program aim to preserve and promote the craft. I hope all agencies of the district and the province, particularly the tourism industry, will work together to promote M'nong R’lam pottery making.”

13 artisans in Yok Duon and Dong Bak village are masters of pottery making. 29 others are beginners who can make only simple products for their family’s use. To preserve the craft, the administrations of Lak district and Dak Lak province have opened vocational training classes in potteryfor young people.