Stamppota

Stamppota is a term used in ethnographic literature to describe a traditional practice of stamping clay pots with carved motifs as part of ritual ceramic production. The practice centers on pressing pre-carved wooden, bone, or stone stamps into leather-hard clay to imprint geometric or symbolic designs before firing. The word Stamppota combines stamp and pot, and is used to refer both to the technique and to the group of vessels produced by it.

History and context: The earliest accounts come from early modern ethnographies of coastal communities in the Western archipelago, where potting communities documented the routine stamping of wares during ceremonial seasons. The practice continued into the 19th and 20th centuries and has been the subject of contemporary revival and study. In some regions, stamppota is linked to broader ritual cycles, while in others it functions primarily as a decorative or genealogical practice.

Techniques and production: Potters prepare a standardized clay body and slips; stamps are kept within families or workshop cohorts and stamped in specific sequences to ensure consistent motifs. Stamping is typically performed on leather-hard ware; after stamping, wares are dried, bisque-fired, and sometimes glazed or slip-washed. Variations exist in stamp materials, motif repertoires, and firing practices between communities.

Motifs, meaning, and use: Motifs often reflect lineage, territorial affiliation, or ritual symbolism. Stamppota wares may serve as markers of social status, alliances, or rites of passage and can accompany feasts, dowries, or harvest celebrations. In some contexts, the practice reinforces communal identity and memory.

Contemporary status: Today stamppota is studied by museums and anthropologists as an example of traditional craft and social practice. Some communities maintain workshops and offer educational demonstrations to preserve the technique for future generations.