Years after, Sokoto still full of life
A petty trader, Malama Rabi from Wurno local government area of Sokoto, who comes to the state capital on Fridays just to sell the clay toys, said she only adds a little to the cost price of her clay wares to make up for her transportation and labour. Malama Rabi buys the toys at N5 for 2 mini pots, and sells each pot at N10. She also uses a local coloured substance to decorate the toys in order to make them attractive. A tin of that colour costs her N25.
However, she could not say how much she makes from the business, but at least she gets satisfaction doing what she does.
Speaking on the moulding and baking of the clay wares, the heap, spread the stalks on them and light a fire which takes the whole night burning, and by Friday morning, the thoroughly baked wares are removed, and displayed for customers.
The potters produce pots, tulu (a local water storage container with a small opening) a big pot called randa, shantali, kasko for bathing and the small kasko for burning of herbs which serves as air freshener. Others include containers for the breeding of pigeons and asusu, a serving ware used by women and children.
They also make toys for children which includes mini pots, chairs, a mortar and pestle and many other domestic utensils.
According to them, the market is usually favourable especially during the hot season, and with the erratic power problem which makes many not to get cold water from refrigerators, people patronize the clay wares for water storage against heat.
“When the market is in its good season, I sell between 20-30 pots a day, and the demand is also very high,” Sarkin Magina revealed.
But the potters’ say their main challenges include the high cost of transporting the raw materials of clay and stalks from the Fadama area by the river, and this is due to fuel problems. They add that even with donkeys as means of transport, this is now costly as a donkey costs N15,000.00-N20,000.00 and this was just N5,000.00 previously.