olulnemaking

Olulnemaking is a traditional craft focused on producing solid and hollow objects by constructing them from thin sheets of a plant-based composite called olul. The sheets are layered and bonded to form laminates, which are then cut, shaped, and finished to create items such as bowls, boxes, plaques, and decorative panels. The technique is characterized by visible lamination lines, smooth curves, and careful attention to surface treatment.

Core materials include olul sheets, a plant-based binder, water, and natural pigments. Finishing uses waxes or oil-based finishes. Common tools are knives, rasps, sanding stones, moulds, clamps, heat irons, and polishing brushes.

Process typically begins with planning a design and selecting sheet thickness. Sheets are cut, then stacked in deliberate orientation and bonded under heat and pressure to form a solid block or hollow form. After curing, the form is released from the mold, opened if hollow, then shaped with carving and sanding. Finally, the surface is finished and sometimes inlaid with contrasting olul strands or pigments.

Olulnemaking encompasses several regional schools, each with distinct motif sets and finishing styles. It has been used for functional ware and art objects; modern practitioners experiment with sustainability, reproducibility, and integration with digital design.

Currently, olulnemaking is taught in craft schools and preserved in museums; communities emphasize ethical sourcing of materials and cultural interpretation. The craft continues to evolve with new binding chemistries and CNC-assisted shaping, while retaining traditional manual skills.