The Clay Remembers
The Clay Remembers
In a quiet village in rural Tunisia, renowned artisan Sabiha Ayari shapes more than just clay—she preserves a centuries-old tradition passed from mother to daughter. Practicing the ancient art of Ajnan pottery, Sabiha’s hands carry forward the stories, techniques, and spirit of a craft that has long been central to Tunisian women’s cultural identity.
“The Clay Remembers” is an intimate portrait of a master potter working with humility, grace, and deep ancestral connection. Without a potter’s wheel or modern tools, she transforms raw earth into vessels rich with symbolism and soul—each piece echoing the strength of generations past.
This short documentary explores traditional pottery, intergenerational knowledge, and the vital role of women in preserving Tunisia’s intangible cultural heritage.
📍 Filmed in rural Tunisia 🎥 Directed by Nawres Zriei 🎭 Featuring Sabiha Ayari
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Film Maker
Nawres Zriei
Tunisia
Nawres is a Tunisian is film director and producer, with a Master’s degree in Scriptwriting and Film Directing (2019). Her graduation film Euphoria won the Audience Award at the Savigliano Film Festival in Italy. In 2022, she directed Loop, which received the Best Short Film award at the INSAS Film Festival.
She has worked on various international projects across different formats and scales, including documentaries and music videos. Nawres is skilled in directing, producing, and coordinating teams, as well as handling the entire production process from scripting to delivery.
Film Master
Sabiha Ayari
- Craft
- Sajnan Potter
- Country
- Tunisia
Sabiha Ayari is a Tunisian artisan from Sajnan. She began practicing pottery at the age of 12, following in her mother’s footsteps. Devoted to her ancestral craft, she has spent her life shaping and preserving this unique tradition, gaining recognition both locally and internationally.
Sabiha chose not to marry. After the sudden passing of her brother, she took on the responsibility of raising his children, devoting herself entirely to both her family and her pottery. For her, clay is more than a material it became a source of strength, healing, and resilience. She often says that working with clay helped her endure the hardships of life, allowing her to transform sorrow into beauty with her own hands.
Sajnan pottery is an artisanal practice passed down through generations of women, relying entirely on natural materials and traditional methods. The process begins with collecting natural clay from the mountains, which is then hand-shaped into various forms. Once dried, each piece is delicately decorated using pigments derived from stones and plants. The pottery is then baked in open flames, completing a fully organic and ancestral technique that connects the craft to the land and its heritage.