On the southern side of the island of Djerba in Tunisia there is a very unusual place - the village of Gellala. Its name translates from the Djerba dialect as "pot" for a reason - this place has been famous for its pottery since ancient times. It is the only place in Djerba where all inhabitants communicate with each other in the Berber language.
Local potters have a special technology of making pottery, which used to be kept secret - the clay for future products is dipped in salt water and kept there for a certain time, or simply mixed with sea water. After mixing, the clay dries for several days. The finished product is sent to dry for a month and a half or two months. And finally, the dried ware is fired in half-buried in the ground ovens for four days. Moreover, now, as many centuries ago, white clay is extracted at a depth of 80 metres.
There are just over 450 potteries in the village of Gellala! It is therefore no surprise that this village has been the main supplier of pottery and other earthenware throughout Tunisia for centuries. Owing to its high quality, until the end of the nineteenth century, the beys accepted the products of this village in lieu of a large part of their taxes. The most popular and famous form that has made the craftsmen of this region famous is the amphora. In addition to this traditional vessel, potters in the village of Gellala make cups, large jugs, bowls, dishes, small vessels for storing spices, incense, vinegar and oil.
On the territory of the village there is an ethnographic museum, which will surely be interesting for anyone to visit. Here you can learn about the life of the local people - Dzherbin. On display are items made of ceramics, examples of traditional clothing and skilful jewellery.
