Sunshine Pottery: Crafting Thousands of Diwali Clay Lamps by Hand
A Mauritian family business led by Vidya Dawoonah for 32 years keeps the ancient craft of handmade clay Diwali lamps alive ahead of the festival.
As Diwali approaches, a small family workshop in Mauritius is working around the clock to meet one of the year's most culturally significant demands: handmade clay lamps, known as diyas, that are central to the Hindu festival of light.
Sunshine Pottery has been producing these traditional lamps for decades, and today the business is led by Vidya Dawoonah, who has run the operation for 32 years. Under her direction, the workshop crafts thousands of individual pieces ahead of Diwali, each shaped carefully from raw clay using artisanal techniques passed down through generations.
Diwali, celebrated by the Hindu community across Mauritius, is one of the island's most widely observed festivals. Hindus make up roughly half of Mauritius's population of 1.3 million, and the festival holds deep religious and cultural significance. The lighting of clay diyas is one of its most enduring symbols, representing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
While mass-produced plastic and electric decorations have become common in many households, Sunshine Pottery is part of a small group of artisans keeping the original clay lamp tradition alive. Each lamp at the workshop is shaped by hand, a process that demands both skill and patience, and that cannot easily be replicated by machine production.
The timing of production is critical. Clay lamps must be shaped, dried and fired in a kiln before they reach market stalls and homes in time for the festival. In the weeks leading up to Diwali, output at Sunshine Pottery rises sharply as demand peaks across the island.
What this means: For Mauritians who celebrate Diwali, businesses like Sunshine Pottery represent more than commerce. They are custodians of a craft tradition that connects the island's Indo-Mauritian community to their cultural and religious heritage. As handmade goods face growing competition from cheaper imports and synthetic alternatives, the continued operation of such workshops is a marker of living heritage in Mauritius. Supporting local artisans during the festival season helps sustain both the craft and the livelihoods tied to it.
Sunshine Pottery's story is also a reminder that small, family-run enterprises are woven into the fabric of Mauritian cultural life, often operating quietly but playing an outsized role in preserving traditions that larger industries cannot replicate.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
What are diyas and why are they used at Diwali in Mauritius?β
Diyas are small clay oil lamps traditionally lit during Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. In Mauritius, where Hindus make up approximately half of the population, Diwali is a public holiday and one of the most widely celebrated festivals. Clay diyas are lit in homes and public spaces to symbolise the victory of light over darkness.
Where can I find handmade clay Diwali lamps in Mauritius?β
Handmade clay lamps are produced by artisan workshops such as Sunshine Pottery, which has been operating for over 32 years under the direction of Vidya Dawoonah. During the Diwali season, clay lamps are also widely available at local markets and street vendors across the island.
How long has Sunshine Pottery been making clay lamps in Mauritius?β
Sunshine Pottery has been operating as a family business for over 32 years, with Vidya Dawoonah leading the workshop throughout that period. The business produces thousands of handmade clay lamps each year ahead of the Diwali festival.
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