Episode 8 – The Pot Knows
Culture and heritage are taught by the people who practice traditions on a daily or seasonal basis. As long as there are people who are still practicing and sharing cultural knowledge, a culture can thrive. The annual Tohono O’odham Potters Gathering brings together potters every year to the HimdagKi:, Tohono O’odham Cultural Center in Topawa, AZ to trade techniques and tools for building traditional utilitarian pots. This artform once provided the O’odham people with most of their cookware and storage, but today less than a dozen potters are routinely making pots. The O’odham Ha’a Collective is working to expand that number through their workshops and classes. Producer Cáit NiSíomón visited the gathering and spoke with Michael Lopez, who tends the fire, about the importance of keeping this tradition alive.
