Pots on the wheels

CAIRO - 16 July 2017: If you have a walk in Alexandria's downtown you may get a chance to spot Mohamed Abdul Kawi with his trolley of pottery. The collection of clay pots and jars is of handmade production, a craft carried in the family for a century.


1 - Mohamed Abdul Kawi with a collection of pots and jars in Alexandria’s downtown - Monika Sleszynska

Kawi's family has been bringing the authentic pottery from Aswan to the Mediterranean city for one hundred years. The pottery used for cooking and serving dishes come in different sizes and colors. Various shades of yellow and brown are of a natural coloring achieved from different dosage of molasses. Bringing the clay into shape of dishes and jars takes minutes for the skillful craftsman. Kawi shapes and decorates the items in classic Nubian patterns and colors.


2 - Handmade and decorated traditional Nubian cookware - Monika Sleszynska

These clay cooking pots are renowned to give food a delicious natural taste. Kawi walks- or rather cooks- the talk as the clay pots have always been the fundamental cookware in the family, since this is a traditional way to cook in Nubia. For Kawi continuing to use and produce the traditional cookware is a natural way of life.


3 – Traditional Aswan cookware. The different color gradient is achieved from natural molasses - Monika Sleszynska


The clay jar isn't just a pretty handmade decorative item. The water clay pots are recognized for their special qualities in bringing water to its natural balance. Water, when stored in the jars is cooled naturally and alkalized, providing for a smooth taste and gentle throat temperature.


4 - Water clay jars made by Mohamed Kawi - Monika Sleszynska

Pottery was such a significant part of ancient Egyptian life, that at times the pot would be more desired and valuable than its content. The jars and pots were used for food transporting, storing, preparation and serving. Although the fashion for shapes and sizes changed over the time, the clay pot has remained in the pantry since Pharaonic times. Cooking is a big part of Egyptian life and these pottery accessories have a proud place in both traditional and modern kitchens.


5 - Mohamed Abdul Kawi continues to spread the natural family craft from Aswan just like his father and grandfather did, offering it in Alexandria - Monika Sleszynska

If you are lucky to spot Mohamed Kawi with his trolley of pots, or find yourself amongst the Egyptian bazaars, these are the items to invest that will add up to the taste and deco of a modern kitchen. It will also make up for a thoughtful gift, one with quite a rich history behind it.

Prices for the pots from Mohamed Kawi start from LE 20 ($1.1).