Copper Shama Wa

Copper Shama Wa

　　Copper Shama Wa is a traditional kettle used by the ethnic minority residents in Ili's farming and pastoral areas as well as urban communities to boil water. It is one of the essential items for ethnic minorities and also a popular product in the market.

Ili City is an important production center for copper Shama Wa across the entire Xinjiang region. However, due to various reasons, its production was once interrupted. In 1974, it was revived when master craftsman Osman-Niyaz, who had over 30 years of experience in handicraft production, led his apprentices in reattempting its production. This long-lost ethnic essential item made its return to the market.

The copper Shama Wa comes in either round or square bases, featuring a round-sectioned boiling chamber with a fire channel inside, along with additional parts such as a dragon-headed spout, claw-shaped handles, and a kettle lid. It boasts advantages such as fuel efficiency, quick boiling, and improved water quality. It has long been regarded as an excellent choice for boiling tea. When not in use, many also treat it as an elegant ornament, placing it on windowsills indoors. The golden, gleaming, smooth-surfaced, and beautifully shaped copper Shama Wa resembles a trophy or a finely crafted piece of handmade art, serving as an object of admiration.