德扎陶器(Dedza Pottery)位于马拉维海拔 1600 米的清凉高地,距离首都利隆圭(Lilongwe)大约 85 公里。这里始建于 1987 年,由克里斯和查丽蒂·史蒂文斯夫妇创立,目前已成为马拉维极具代表性的手工艺中心。作为全国海拔最高的城镇,德扎的气候即便在炎热的旱季也透着清爽,这让此地成为了往返利隆圭与布兰太尔(Blantyre)之间最受欢迎的停留点。在这里,你不仅能亲眼看到泥土如何经由匠人之手变为精美的瓷器,还能在繁花似锦的花园里品尝到传说中全马拉维最好吃的芝士蛋糕。
走进德扎陶器的生产车间,最直观的感受是这里慢节奏的匠心。每一件陶器从揉泥、拉坯、定型到上釉、彩绘,至少要经过十位技艺娴熟的工匠之手。这种分工明确的学徒制不仅保证了出品的稳定性,也支撑了当地超过 100 人的就业。工坊参观费通常在 10,000 马拉维克瓦查(约合人民币 40-50 元)左右,带路的老匠人会一边展示电窑和木窑的区别,一边讲解如何利用当地采购的原材料配比出独特的釉色。这种带有人体温的器物,比起流水线产品多了一份厚重感。
德扎陶器的魅力核心在于其手绘纹样。这里的图案大多取材于马拉维的日常生活:穿梭在丛林中的非洲五霸、忙碌的农耕场景、色彩斑斓的翠鸟,甚至是当地极具特色的“小巴车”。这些图案用鲜艳的色块勾勒而成,充满了稚拙而强烈的生命力。不仅是茶杯和餐碟,这里还出产大量的手绘瓷砖,如果你恰好在装修房子,这里的定制瓷砖绝对会让你的厨房或浴室充满异域风情。由于是工厂直营,这里的价格比利隆圭的工艺品市场要公道得多。
很多人驱车两个小时来到德扎,可能并不是为了买锅碗瓢盆,而是为了那一块传说中的芝士蛋糕。咖啡馆的花园打理得极好,四季繁花不断,德扎山就在背后巍峨矗立。点一份招牌芝士蛋糕,配上浓郁的马拉维本地咖啡,那是只有在 1600 米海拔才能感受到的宁静。说真的,这里的柠檬芝士蛋糕甜而不腻,口感绵密,在整个东非的旅行圈子里都小有名气。如果碰上凉爽的清晨,餐厅内壁炉里的木柴烧得噼啪作响,那种温馨感会让你瞬间忘记身在非洲。
除了甜点,德扎小镇最出名的物产莫过于土豆。由于高海拔和适宜的土壤,这里的土豆口感格外沙脆。在陶器厂的餐厅,你可以点一份配有本地土豆条(Chiwaya Chips)的简餐。这里的食材大多来自周边的农场,新鲜度极高。餐具自然全是自家生产的手工陶瓷,这种“从泥土到餐桌”的完整感,是德扎旅游体验中最迷人的一环。
距离陶器厂约 25 公里处,坐落着著名的崇戈尼岩画区(Chongoni Rock Art Area)。这片被联合国教科文组织列入世界文化遗产名录的区域,分布着 127 处岩画遗址,是中非地区岩画分布最密集的地方。这里的岩画分为两类:红色的几何图案出自上万年前的原始狩猎者之手,而白色的自然景物则由后来的切瓦族人(Chewa)绘制。如果想去探访这些藏在深山里的遗迹,建议在德扎陶器厂雇佣一位专业向导,并预留至少半天的时间。
如果你精力充沛,陶器厂背后的德扎山提供了多条徒步线路。短程徒步大约 1 到 4 小时,向导费约 5 美元;如果想冲击顶峰,则需要 5 到 7 小时。站在山顶俯瞰,脚下是蜿蜒的 M1 公路和错落的林场,天气晴朗时甚至能远眺到马拉维湖的一角。需要提醒的是,高原气候多变,即便出发时艳阳高照,山顶也可能冷风刺骨,建议随身带一件轻薄的防风衣。
进入陶器厂的展示厅和咖啡馆是免费的。但如果你想进入后台工作区进行时长约 1 小时的深度参观,目前的费用是每位成人约 10,000 马拉维克瓦查,12 岁以下儿童半价,所有参观都需要由工厂向导带领以确保安全。
最建议的方式是自驾或包车,沿着 M1 公路向南行驶约 1.5 小时即可到达,路况总体良好。如果是背包客,可以从利隆圭的长途车站乘坐前往布兰太尔的大巴,在德扎路口下车后搭乘当地的三轮车或摩托车,大约 5 分钟就能到达陶器厂门口。
有的。德扎陶器旅舍(Dedza Pottery Lodge)提供 6 间带独立卫浴的客房,环境安静且充满艺术气息。此外,这里还设有露营区,对于自驾越野爱好者来说是一个绝佳的补给站。需要注意的是,由于房间数量少,如果你计划在 5 月到 10 月的旅游旺季入住,最好提前一个月通过官网或邮件预订。
强烈建议提前至少 48 小时通过德扎陶器厂预约向导。因为崇戈尼岩画分布极散且路标不清晰,私自前往很难找到真正的精华遗址。前往 Namzeze 遗址的土路路况较差,建议驾驶底盘较高的车辆,雨季期间(11 月至次年 4 月)部分路段可能会变得泥泞难行。
M K Nice hiking opportunity. Nice pottery. The food and rooms are okay. Nice daytrip destination from Lilongwe.
Michael Jones Had a great time at the pottery campsite! Very close to Lilongwe. A great time to visit Dedza after rainy season and into the winter months (April-August). The showers and toilets were very clean. And there was very hot water readily available.We were the only ones at the camp site for the 3 days that we were there. All the staff were very helpful during our stay. There are some nice hikes to go on. They can book a guide if you would like. The one we had was a staff member of the Pottery Lodge (Simioni). He was a great guide for hiking and biking. The meals at the restaurant were good. And they were pretty fast in preparing everything. The prices were very reasonable at restaurant. As well as the camping Accomodations.
John Bradshaw For many years I have been coming to Dedza pottery . Dedza is cooler than other parts of Malawi and the scenery is beautiful with prehistoric paintings in the vicinity . I like the pottery and the food is tasty.. best of all the venue is made more accessible to wheelchair users . This time I stayed in a very comfortable room , although there was no WiFi . There are conference facilities available and a well cared for garden . I have been watching the progress over the years.
Brandie Shackelford Dedza is my favorite weekend getaway from Lilongwe. We enjoy camping there. The food is good (it can be slow at times so call in ahead of time if you’re hungry). The service is attentive. Plus it’s beautiful! You can hike and make your own pottery over a relaxing weekend
meinewelt We came here for the pottery shop and the famous cheesecake and it did not disappoint. The shop has a big selection of wonderful pottery and the staff is very helpful and friendly. The restaurant is situated in a very cozy green garden. The food is really tasty and the portion sizes are good. The cheesecake was amazing. Service was a bit slow in the restaurant, but we did arrive unannounced in a big group.