The Magic in Pottery

The Magic in Pottery, written by Nida Hynniewta and illustrated by Casper Syiem, follows a young girl named Aski from Siju village in the Garo Hills. This book was published by Sauramandala Foundation, Meghalaya, as part of The Forgotten Folklore Project (TFFP) which brings to life 65 stories from communities in Meghalaya and other northeastern states of India. The story books, developed in collaboration with local artists, aim to contribute to early childhood education and disseminate knowledge on local nature, culture, foods, garments, kitchens, and more.

This is the story of young Aski, who lives with her ambi (grandmother) in the hilltop village of Siju, nestled by the Simsang River in the Garo Hills. Known for its rich silt and clay, the river’s embankments provide the perfect material for creating the strongest pots in the Garo Hills. Every day, ambi, who is an experienced potter, collects clay called dilka asta from the riverbank and prepares it to be made into pots. Curious about her grandmother’s work, Aski follows her grandmother’s daily routine and slowly begins to understand the art of pottery.

Ambi teaches her the importance of removing impurities from the clay to prevent pots from cracking in the fire. She imparts not just the technical skills but also the spiritual and cultural value of the craft passed down through generations.

The 28-page book, adorned in full page illustrations, is available in English, Khasi, Pnar, Garo, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada – with more translations to come on Storyweaver by Pratham Books.