Water and Clay: Bringing Back the ‘Olla
Kenzy Fahmy
Since time immemorial, humans have been molding and sculpting clay to build their homes, decorate their spaces, and to store and cook their food. For thousands of years, clay has been an essential part of daily life, and in many parts of the world it still is. The Egyptian ‘olla, a traditional clay water jug, may have fallen out of use with the introduction of modern refrigeration, but it’s making a comeback and for good reason.
The natural properties and adaptability of clay make it the perfect material to use for almost anything; it’s affordable and accessible, it’s easily shaped into any form to suit its function, and it acts as a great insulator. Homes built out of traditional materials like clay and stone work well in our hot desert climate, keeping nice and cool during the scorching summers. The ‘olla is very much the same.
Egyptians have been making pottery out of clay for millennia and examples have been found along the Nile Valley that date back to the country’s predynastic settlements. The Naqada culture, which existed around 4000-3000BCE, were already creating beautifully decorated vases and vessels using techniques imported from the Levant. These vessels were used to store and transport everything from grains and dried goods to oil and water. The ancient Egyptians even used them to store the organs of their mummies so that they could be preserved for the afterlife.
Clay water jugs have been in existence for even longer and were used by ancient cultures all over the world. The porous nature of unglazed pottery allows for the water to seep right through the clay to the outer surface of the jug, creating little droplets of water that then evaporate, and much like our own bodies, will naturally cool down the contents of the jug. A good clay jug can lower the temperature of the water by 10 degrees in as little as 15 minutes, a blessing for those living in hot climates with no refrigeration.
People have also traditionally believed that the ‘olla acts a good filter for any impurities in the water, although this belief has been challenged more recently. Clay does act as a great filter, but because it’s unglazed it can also harbor bacteria and other harmful organisms when not properly used. ‘Ollas need to be soaked in water, never soap, for around 24 hours in order to clean them properly, and one should never drink from them directly to avoid contamination; the most common way to drink from an ‘olla is to raise it slightly above your head and drink from a distance, but a glass or cup would do just fine!
The fact that the ‘olla has survived for so long is a great testament to its value. Its use continued well into medieval times, when the designs started to become more ornamental. By the 10th century, filters with intricate perforated patterns similar to those found on tiles, tapestries and more were being added to the jugs to keep dirt and pests out of the water. Some stunning examples were found in Old Cairo that date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with simpler designs dating all the way back to the 8th century.
Today, although less popular than a hundred years ago, the ‘olla is still an ever-present part of Egyptian life and culture. A larger version called zeer can be also found on many street corners throughout the country carrying cool drinking water for anyone passing by. The zeer is part of a longstanding Islamic tradition of providing free water for those who need it, a tradition which goes back several hundred years to when the Mamluks ruled Egypt, probably even further.
Water fountains (sabil) would be built alongside mosques and madrassas (Kuttab) as a charitable service to the residents of the city, the most well-known examples of which would be the Sabil-Kuttab of Qaytbay and the Sabil-Kuttab of Abdel Rahman Katkhuda, both of which lie in the heart of Old Cairo. Today, the practice has evolved, but it remains an important part of local culture. You’ll now find steel water fountains, as well as traditional clay zeers, outside mosques and on streets all over Egypt, specially set up in honor of loved ones who have passed as a way to protect and bless them in the afterlife; the traditions of our ancestors seem to be alive and well!
But our traditions often have to adapt to our modern way of life, and that is exactly what’s happening with the ‘olla. A rise in environmental awareness and conscientiousness has meant that many of us are looking for more sustainable ways to live and more eco-friendly alternatives to the objects and rituals that permeate our daily lives. We are craving a return to our more natural roots.
Different brands and designers are now creating some beautiful modern interpretations of the ‘olla in an effort to resurrect the iconic water jug and encourage people to switch back to clay. Qarura, Shababik and The Nook are three great local brands that have helped revive and reshape the ‘olla, adding their own colorful touch to the traditional design.
The ‘olla is an important and enduring part of our heritage, and it’s exactly these kinds of natural and traditional alternatives that will help us move forward as we teeter over the tightrope that is our collective future. More and more we find ourselves turning back to the old ways in an effort to live sustainable lives. More and more we find ourselves in need of drawing inspiration from nature, and from our history, so that we may somehow right some of the wrongs we’ve made over the years and hopefully, find our way back to a more balanced world.