Developing a Refractory Body for Kiln Building in Nigeria

Abstract

Pottery today is the outcome of centuries of growth and its beginning in  Nigeria stretches back into pre-historic times, a period without written history but potters have since learned much. Any potter who intends to make a living from this craft needs a kiln which combines reliability with economy. In the  past thirty years, potters and entrepreneurs in Nigeria have set up many  pottery studios. A good number of these pottery studios have not survived  partly due to difficulties in procuring a functional kiln and sourcing for cheap and readily available fuels for firing. Firing is considered a crucial stage and  the turning point in the process of pottery making. The researcher therefore  considers it a challenge to develop a refractory body suitable for the  construction of kerosene kiln. This research therefore intends to encourage  potters to change their method and material utilization habit through local  sourcing and experimentation with some of the locally available resources at  hand.