#IWD2022: Meet Madam Dorcas, Abuja potter who has been crafting for 40 years

Starting her craft as far back as the 1980s, Madam Dorcas, as she preferred to identify herself, first embraced pottery as a childhood hobby.

Now 46 years old and currently resident in Ushafa, a small community in Bwari area council of the federal capital territory (FCT), Dorcas is still very much interested in pottery and has used her skill to support her children through school.

Pottery is a tradition in Ushafa, and Dorcas is one of a few persons who have performed excellently in terms of crafting beautiful clay pieces.

According to her, pottery was passed down to her from her late mother.

“I began making my own pots when I was six years old,” the mother of six children, one of whom is a nurse, told TheCable.

Dorcas’ hands have transformed clay into beautiful works of art such as pots, vases, cups, bowls and even drums, which have in turn generated revenue for her to support her home.

Interestingly, her creations are also quite affordable, with designs available for as low as N600.

As the world celebrates women in the month of March, Dorcas wants women, irrespective of their location or literacy level, to find inspiration from her experience as a female potter in Ushafa.

According to her, there is a sense of purpose in a woman finding something to do to keep herself busy and contribute meaningfully to self-development and earning a livelihood.

See photos below.