Among the Dogon, pottery is always made by women. They use the hammer-and-anvil technique. This involves placing a lump of clay on a hard surface such as an old millstone. This surface is covered with a mat of baobab fibre to prevent the clay from sticking to it. The potter beats the clay with a stone to hollow it out and then to beat the sides in an upwards motion. A roll of clay is added to form the pot’s rim. Most finished pots still bear the imprint of the mat. Others have been smoothed over or decorated with a ribbed pattern that is made by rolling a twisted cord over the wet clay.<Br>The pot’s intended function determines its shape. The Dogon use pottery for the storage and transport of liquids, for cooking millet and sauces, brewing beer, serving food, and for ritual purposes.