Costa Rica Chorotega Pottery - Guaitil Pottery

CHOROTEGA POTTERY HISTORY
Costa Rican artisans from the Guaitil village fashion their pottery in the tradition of the Chorotega Indians, once an indigenous population that was later absorbed into the Costa Rican culture. All pottery is made completely by hand - no foot pedal or electricity used, only the skill of the potter's hands. Once the item is formed, contrasting clays of either ochre or black are used to wash the outside of the unfired products. Then intricate designs, said to have been power and fertility symbols of the Chorotega Indians, are hand-painted on the surface of each piece. The pottery is then fired in a wood burning, igloo-shaped, earthen kiln that can be seen in each artisan's yard.