Molagoda earthenware kick-wheel dynamics: river silt tempering and open-clamp firing?
How do artisanal potters along the Kegalle-Molagoda pottery belt source river clay, and what wood fuels are used in traditional low-fire clamp kilns?
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3 Answers from travellers
Molagoda potters mine secondary alluvial clays deposited along the Maha Oya river floodplains. This clay is kneaded by foot with fine river silt to moderate plasticity and prevent shrinkage cracks. Traditional firing relies on wood-fired updraft brick kilns or temporary clamp kilns fueled by coconut husks, cinnamon branch prunings, and rubber wood. Firing temperatures peak around 800-900°C, producing porous earthenware ideal for curd pots and cooling drinking vessels (kalagedi).
The traditional kick-wheel (sakaporuwa) used here relies on an uncentered pivot balanced on hard timber; using it smoothly requires different foot timing than modern Western electric wheels.
Unfired curd pots must be seasoned before kitchen use; rubbing the inner surface with warm coconut oil and boiling water seals the pores without chemical glazing.
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