Between Sacred and Commercial: Transformations of Ganda Ritual Pottery in Contemporary Uganda: An Ethnographic Practice-Based Approach

Abstract

This study examines the shifting relationship between sacred meaning and commercial transformations of Ganda ritual pottery in contemporary Uganda. Historically, Ganda pottery served utilitarian, religious, and cultural identity functions with specific symbolic meanings. However, these forms are increasingly being transformed for artistic display, tourism, and market exchange. Grounded in an ethnographic practice-based fieldwork, the research draws on participant observation, oral narratives, and interviews with potters, ritual specialists, and community elders alongside practice-based studio exploration of pottery-making. The study reveals that Ganda pottery constitutes a rich repository of indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, and artistic skills. It highlights two primary methods of transformation: repurposing existing ritual forms for secular functions (e.g., lampstands, vases) and modifying forms to create new aesthetic objects. While ritual specialists express reservations about commercializing the sacred, potters argue that vessels only assume sacred status upon dedication in shrines. The research concludes that transforming indigenous pottery forms can promote cultural heritage, tourism, and sustainable economic development, provided a balance is struck between authenticity and innovation.