【非洲異國情】瓦缸

 

人類手工藝發展中,其中最古老的工藝品可算是陶瓷。文明社會雖然出現了許多代替品,如塑膠,金屬等,但泥工,或稱為陶瓷工業,不單供我們生活的需用,還添上許多美觀要求,如色彩,花樣設計,美輪美奐,進入了藝術要求的境界。今天的非洲,許多人仍普遍使用瓦器作日常用具。

家常用品

今天非洲雖然不斷受著西方文明的影嚮,許多用品已經漸脫離了當地的傳統作法,直接使用外國貨或當地仿製品。然而,鄉間仍保留了傳統簡樸的用品,他們的生活與泥土有關係,除農耕外,也取用泥料製造日用品,如建屋,日用器具如水缸、飯煲、有封蓋的小盒、葫蘆型 (週圍有小孔) 的燈棧,甚至製作偶像和祖墳等。

在非洲鄉間生活,食水是生存重要的要素。村民除了要住在靠水的地方,要挖井打水,其次是在家裏儲水,作洗滌和飲用。現代人有了塑膠的大水桶,帶來不少方便,煮食也用上了鋁和金屬造的食具,如煲,茶壺等,然而飲用的食水,他們仍然喜愛使用瓦缸儲水。

非洲瓦缸常見的是圓球型,圓底,頂部開口,有圍邊但無缸脖子。小的如足球或藍球體積相近,多用作裝載液體食品或乾貨;中型的大如私家車車軚,裝載家用飲用食水;還有更大的如大貨車車軚般,用作釀酒工具,或節慶時用來煮大鑊飯等。

泡製和使用

非洲鄉間有祖傳的磘匠,不過他們使用的製作工具有限,技術和材料各異,製作過程有時會使用轉盤,而製作原料普遍是採用當地帶粘性的紅泥。幾乎所有的瓦缸和瓦瓶型狀都是圓球型,缸身沒有任何圖案或花紋,頂部都有開口並加上圍邊,但沒有手柄,也沒有封蓋。製作後會經火燒,過程中有些用熎爐,製成品的質數會較堅硬耐用,但有些只用一盤火炭爐,往往因燒不透而影嚮瓦缸的質數。另外,缸內並沒有塗上防漆油,因此缸的雜質會影嚮缸內的盛載水。

非洲一般的瓦缸是圓底而沒有站腳,不能穩站,因此煮食用時或釀製酒料時,要用三塊石頭作缸器座,這樣廚師在缸內搞動食物時,不至把缸倒翻。平日儲水飲用的水缸,使用塑膠碟,布塊,或其他硬物封蓋。每戶都會把缸放在陰涼的樹下或其他無太陽光照射的地方。天氣酷熱時,他們會把缸的下半身藏在泥裏,並把缸週邊的泥土弄濕,以保持食水清涼。招待訪客時,他們也會使用從科學井(井深百尺,井口安裝手泵用以打水)打來的水,水質清純潔淨。若要儲存容易因酷熱變壞的物品,如藥物或食物,他們便將物品放進一個半載了濕潤泥土的瓦缸裏,缸內氣溫因濕氣而清涼,可保存物品免損壞。

市場擺賣

在鄉間的市墟,商戶在劃定地方就地擺賣瓦缸。由於瓦缸脆弱和容易弄破,缸販會使用婦女以步行運送貨品到市場來售賣。這些婦女天生身懷特技,可以將 6-7 個由大至小的瓦缸層疊在頭頂,步行一兩公里,身體仍保持平衡而毫不驚慌,毫無累態地結隊到市場,真令人嘆為觀止。瓦缸的顧客不少,選購者只憑肉眼在場觀察好壞,而沒有機會用水測試有否破漏。不幸地,回家時發覺瓦缸破漏時怎辦?市墟商販當然已走了,客戶只有自負後果。筆者在非洲工作也曾有過類似經歷,初時感到無奈要退貨。然而,他們會很有耐性地,將缸倒滿井水使用幾天,或許水內的雜質會封塞住缸內的漏逢。若情況仍未改善,他們會使用少許英泥,塗抹在缸身內邊便可修補妥當。

誠然,非洲的鄉間是儉樸的,與大自然很接近,隨時可以看到白蟻以口液和泥造出一大座白蟻山,也有某些昆蟻以口液和泥滾成球體,用後雙腳推動運送。在非洲和世界其他地方,人們或許可以學習到如何使用和泥燒磚及抺泥槳等技術來建屋,甚至當地也有傳說神造人,用不同顏色的泥土造成不同膚色的人種。所以人可以用泥造瓦器,與造物主用泥土造人相似。

在全年酷熱的日子裏,能從瓦缸喝飲一口透涼的清水實在其樂無窮。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

Go to top