Pottery and Weaving in Vigan
Part of the Vigan travel guide — see every topic in All Vigan Guides.
Vigan is home to two traditional crafts that you can still see being made. Burnay are clay jars shaped by hand and fired in large kilns. Abel Iloko is a strong cotton cloth woven on wooden looms. Both crafts are kept alive by local families and small workshops. This guide explains where to see them and how to buy well.
Burnay pottery
Burnay are large, dark clay jars. They have long been used in the Ilocos region to store and ferment things like vinegar, fish sauce and local rice wine. The jars are made in workshops in the Pagburnayan area of Vigan, a short ride from the historic centre. Potters shape the clay on a wheel, often turned by foot. The jars are then fired in long brick kilns heated with wood. Some workshops let visitors try the wheel for a small fee.
Abel Iloko weaving
Abel Iloko is a cotton cloth woven in the Ilocos region. It is known for being strong and long-lasting, with patterns in stripes, checks and small shapes. Weavers use wooden looms, and a single blanket can take days to make. In Vigan and nearby towns, you can visit weaving shops and sometimes watch weavers at work. Products include blankets, towels, table runners, bags and clothing. Abel cloth also makes a light and useful gift. Prices depend on size, pattern and the time it took to make. Some modern designers now use abel in new clothing and bags.
Buying well
Buy directly from workshops and weaving shops when you can, as more money goes to the makers. Small burnay pieces, such as cups and mini jars, are easier to carry than big jars. Ask the shop to wrap pottery well. For abel cloth, check the weave is tight and even. Hand-woven pieces cost more than machine-made copies, but they last longer. Ask the seller if an item is hand-woven. Keep your receipts in case you need to explain items at the airport. Ask if the shop can ship large items for you.
Visiting tips
Many kalesa tours stop at a burnay workshop and a weaving shop. You can also take a tricycle. Workshops are working places, so ask before taking photos and stay away from hot kilns. Workshops are usually open in the daytime, but hours vary. A visit takes about 30 minutes to one hour. Going in the morning is cooler and gives you time to watch the work. Some workshops sell cold drinks. Watching quietly is part of the experience. You may see each step, from wet clay to finished jar.
Pottery and Weaving at a glance
| Getting there | Burnay workshops in Pagburnayan, a short tricycle or kalesa ride from the centre |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime; hours vary by workshop |
| Cost | Free to watch in most places; small fee to try the wheel |
| Best time | Morning, when it is cooler |
| Bring | Cash and a bag for wrapped purchases |