The Pottery Tradition of Dont Highland

For centuries, the women of Dont Plateau, located 60 km from Fethiye, have been meeting the region’s needs for pottery—from water jugs to incense burners. This tradition, passed down from mothers to daughters, is now on the brink of extinction due to changing lifestyles. Today, only a handful of people, mainly those who migrate to the plateau in the summer, continue this craft, and the knowledge is not being transferred to younger generations.

In September 2021, we began traveling to Dont Plateau with Beyza Yavuz. Thanks to Özen Çavdar, we learned not only about the soil and regional pottery but also about the rich culture of the area.