Mitti floors and fires

Out in the desert where there is mostly sand, and some acacia thorns, rubbish and animal poo, you already have some of the ingredients for making mitti. The mitti clay comes from farms, near the mountains and locally near Pushkar.

Adding water to the solid clay makes it become more malleable. If one adds grass and cow poo too, a spreadable natural concrete is made.

There are plenty of animals in the village. Horses, camels, goats and wandering cows. Feeding, caring and working animals is a valuable income stream for the Bhopa tribe.

Once the clay is mixed, it is spread over the cleaned and flattened sand, to make a porch or floor, over grass and straw to fill in and make walls solid, and can also be fashioned into create a cooking fire.

Once dried, more layers are applied resulting in floors that are smooth, hard and natural. These are sometimes painted with patterns.

We ordered two tractor loads of mitti from a local farm owner. This cost the ngo £50. Upon arrival the women and children came happily to collect an allocation of clay and begin work.

There was a vaguely festival feel to the arrival as people were also preparing for the colour festival of Holi and decorating their homesteads.

The strength of both the women and children was incredible. Many thanks to all of you who contribute to our ability to bring these things to the village and keep cultural practises alive and promote sustainable building.

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Every rupee counts here so see a few pounds bring much happiness.