Vigan Burnay: A showcase of fine Ilokano pottery craft
Posted by on January 7, 2009
For the second time around, I found myself standing in the middle of hundreds of Vigan Burnay. And it was a sight to behold! The Pagburnayan is a place in Vigan where the famed Burnay Jars are made.
Burnay are large jars normally used in storing vinegars or fish paste more popularly known as bagoong.
Burnay Jars have a unique body shape. It has a small base, wide-bodied and small opening on its top.
Making these Vigan Jars aren?t just a cup of coffee thing. It takes almost a month to finish one jar and sometimes even longer especially during rainy seasons. It is said that the burnay-making industry already exist long before the Spaniards came. It is believed that the pottery-making industry was brought by the Chinese who once stayed in this area.
Visiting Pagburnayan is a must when visiting Vigan. One can actually experience to become an artisan here by trying your luck by making your own jars, and pf course for posterity?s sake.
Unfortunately, they were not making real burnay jars when we went there. But the staff willingly obliged to make a jar for me to take photos?
Outside the place where these jars are actually made, is a souvenir shop where one can buy small gifts (pasalubong) to friends and families.
To go to Pagburnayan, just hail a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to Pagburnayan. No need to let the driver wait, since there are a lot of tricycles passing by that also goes back to the City Plaza area.
