Paipai Potters
Southeast of San Jose de la Zorra live the Paipai Indian people. One area
of craft specialization is the production of clay vessels called ollas.
The clay is dug from the earth by the potters. It is dried and ground to a fine
powder which is then wetted with juice from the cactus. 
After forming the olla
by coiling ropes of clay and smoothing the sides, the vessel is allowed to dry.
Then a pit is used to fire the clay to make it durable and strong. This is
almost the only source of income for these Paipai Indian people who, like the
Kumeyaay, have homes with dirt floors, no electricity, nor running water.
The pottery meets many social needs and serves a myriad of practical functions. It is used to boil acorn mush over a fire. It is used to hold and store water, food, and valuables at home or cached in a remote location. Now it even can be traded for American dollars at craft sales.
Pottery is especially useful for storing water in a dry desert clime. The earthenware produced by pit firing is rather porous and the capillary action draws a thin layer of water through the body of the clay. As this layer evaporates the walls of clay cool; the faster it evaporates the cooler the clay. Thus the water within the olla remains several degrees cooler than the surrounding air.
The pottery is available for sale at various Pow Wows and Fiestas in Southern California or you may contact me for additional deatails at ddozier@palomar.edu.