Tobias Fornier | Buri Handicraft Making

 

Passing through Punta Hagdan, Taguimtim and the cemetery in Tobias Fornier, we reached one of the next highlights of our Manggad Kang Antique or The Treasures of Antique Heritage Tour- the buri handicraft making.

We arrived at Tobias Fornier at around 1:30 in the afternoon, and I was kinda hesitant to use my camera after it being engulfed by seawater earlier. But when the crafts women started their thing on buri making, I can't help but use my camera at risk to take snapshots of them doing what they do best. It feels intricate just looking at their craft while they steadfastly and surely overlap each strand of buri leaf over the other. This craft became popular due to the fact the the main material they use, buri leaf, is readily available in this town. I am always in awe how industrious my fellowmen are in terms of using the resources that are given to us.

Buri or Corypha elata is the largest palm found in the Philippines. It is one of the most important palm, next to the coocunt, in terms of economic and industrial importance. The buri leaf is the most versatile material used in the handicraft industry. It can be use to make a hat, box, bag or any items one can probably think of. Some are even dyed before weaving, thus, the colorful feature that you can see on other items. The weavers also having different weaving patterns in order to create different and interesting shapes or products.

I even talked to one crafts woman and asked how long would a small bag/pouch made of buri would take her to finish it and she answered me that she could do it in just a few minutes. Amazing right?

Don't get me wrong, the buri making process looks easy if you are just a mere spectator but as soon as you've tried it, it gets complicated just when you thought that you are sure of what you are doing.

A short demonstration by the local crafts women of Tobias Fornier was done and then the activity was next for the UP Visayas' students to create their own buri handicraft through process they learned from the local women.

I was one of the assistant during the activity and it was fun to see students trying their best to create and finish a mini bag made of buri. Even after the activity, many are hooked and were even weaving in the bus even after our visit to Tobias Fornier.

The trip is made possible by Katahum Tours in Antique. To know more about it visit their website or email flordcalawag@gmail.com.




 

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