Sana Hastakala

Artisan Organization:Sana Hastakala

Country: Nepal

The Newar village of Thimi is the biggest and best known pottery village in Nepal. The historical city of Thimi is also known as the main settlement of Prajapatis, a special clan of indigenous pot makers who are well-known within and beyond Nepal as expert artists. Thimi Ceramics was founded in 1985 by Santa Bahadur Prajapati with unglazed traditional pottery for the daily household use for local people.

In 1987, Santa Bahadur started earthenware ceramics with help of his two sons Santa Kumar Prajapati and Laxmi Kumar Prajapati. Elder son Santa Kumar received the opportunity to travel to the United States for training and research in stoneware ceramics for 3 years. After his studies Santa Kumar returned to Nepal in 2004 and trained Thimi Ceramics on how to make stoneware ceramics. Because of his efforts, Thimi is now the pioneer of stoneware ceramics in Nepal.

Today, Thimi ceramics employs the work of 20 artisans. GlobeIn’s artisan partner, Sana Hastakala, has worked with Thimi Ceramics to develop Fair Trade exports since 2004, providing the group with design and marketing aid. Sana Hastakala also provides them with interest-free loans, business development training, and technical support for productivity.