Regional Differences
While looking at pottery from different potter groups you will notice similarities, but you will also find variences among them (Frank, 35). There seems to be a regional difference with some of the types of pottery in that some are more common in the north and some are more common in the south. The singon, for example, was found in Soninke, Bamana, Maninka, Somono, and Fula pottery across the north but it is raely seen in Jula and not at all in Senufo or other pottery to the south or east (Frank 41). Another example, would be the bamadaga, which is found in pottery all across the south from Guinea to Benin, but not seen in the pottery from the north. There is also pottery that is found to be common in the east versus the west. The coolo is found anywhere from Timbuktu to nothern Côte d'Ivoire in pottery from Somono, Jula, Sonrhaï, Fula, and Senufo. The ngomifaga have an eastern distribution from desert to forest but aren't found among tha Bamana and Maninka pottery (Frank 41).
Different Culture Groups
Dogon Potters
Limited number of forms of pottery
There are little variations in size and proportion
Their pottery has a wide range of functions that they serve
(Frank 35)
Soninke Potters
Their pottery is similar to that of Bamana and Manika culture
They make water jars, and pitchers, braziers, couscous steamers, and cooking pots
They build large, unfired clay granaries (bono)
Bamana potters have said that they used to make the storage containers but there is no longer a need for them
(Frank 35)
Somono Potters
Largest and most diverse selection of pottery
They produce the common cooking, serving, and storage pots
They also have a large variety of architectural ceramics - rainspouts, window grills, roof vents, toilet shafts
Make pot lids, tripod braziers, braziers based off of metal prototype, and pancak griddles
Sometimes produce domestic pottery - bed supports, stool forms, washbasin with a stool included - but there is no longer a great demand for these types of pots.
(Frank 35)
Jula Potters
They also produce a wide variety of pottery
Make many similar forms of pottery as the Bamana and Maninka but they vary in size and style
Jula has more in common with the Senufo when regarding styles and types.
In the past they made dolodagaba, which were 4-5 feet tall and used to brew/store millet beer but now are used as water and grain storage
They make the nyintin which is similiar to the couscous steamer but has hold all the way up to the rim
The skilled potters make ngomifaga, which is a griddle for pancakes, garigulèti, sheminfaga, furadaga and bamadaga, which is for preparing and storing sacred medicines (also known as the crocodile pot (Frank 38)
They also make coorow, which are unusual stirrup-handled caps for the pinnacles of Sudanese-style mosques in the region
(Frank 35, 41)
While looking at pottery from different potter groups you will notice similarities, but you will also find variences among them (Frank, 35). There seems to be a regional difference with some of the types of pottery in that some are more common in the north and some are more common in the south. The singon, for example, was found in Soninke, Bamana, Maninka, Somono, and Fula pottery across the north but it is raely seen in Jula and not at all in Senufo or other pottery to the south or east (Frank 41). Another example, would be the bamadaga, which is found in pottery all across the south from Guinea to Benin, but not seen in the pottery from the north. There is also pottery that is found to be common in the east versus the west. The coolo is found anywhere from Timbuktu to nothern Côte d'Ivoire in pottery from Somono, Jula, Sonrhaï, Fula, and Senufo. The ngomifaga have an eastern distribution from desert to forest but aren't found among tha Bamana and Maninka pottery (Frank 41).
Different Culture Groups
Dogon Potters
Limited number of forms of pottery
There are little variations in size and proportion
Their pottery has a wide range of functions that they serve
(Frank 35)
Soninke Potters
Their pottery is similar to that of Bamana and Manika culture
They make water jars, and pitchers, braziers, couscous steamers, and cooking pots
They build large, unfired clay granaries (bono)
Bamana potters have said that they used to make the storage containers but there is no longer a need for them
(Frank 35)
Somono Potters
Largest and most diverse selection of pottery
They produce the common cooking, serving, and storage pots
They also have a large variety of architectural ceramics - rainspouts, window grills, roof vents, toilet shafts
Make pot lids, tripod braziers, braziers based off of metal prototype, and pancak griddles
Sometimes produce domestic pottery - bed supports, stool forms, washbasin with a stool included - but there is no longer a great demand for these types of pots.
(Frank 35)
Jula Potters
They also produce a wide variety of pottery
Make many similar forms of pottery as the Bamana and Maninka but they vary in size and style
Jula has more in common with the Senufo when regarding styles and types.
In the past they made dolodagaba, which were 4-5 feet tall and used to brew/store millet beer but now are used as water and grain storage
They make the nyintin which is similiar to the couscous steamer but has hold all the way up to the rim
The skilled potters make ngomifaga, which is a griddle for pancakes, garigulèti, sheminfaga, furadaga and bamadaga, which is for preparing and storing sacred medicines (also known as the crocodile pot (Frank 38)
They also make coorow, which are unusual stirrup-handled caps for the pinnacles of Sudanese-style mosques in the region
(Frank 35, 41)
Frank, Barbara E. Mande Potters & Leatherworkers. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998. Print.