SALAW

Tapey in a salaw.

SALAW. a porcelain and earthenware jars or pots that were part of a trade from China and mainland southeast Asia to the Philippines over many centuries.  These ceramics were brought up to Benguet from the La Union and Ilocos coasts.  It is especially used not only for making rice wine (tapey), but also for cooling water and salting meat (Ibaloy Dictionary, 2011).

Nowadays, however, less and less Ibalois make their own tapey.  The salaw is then used for other purposes.

Salaw used as an added feature in a garden.

When we entered a small restaurant, we were happy to see this salaw, thinking we could drink fresh and cool water from it.  When we asked for a glass, however, the owners told us, the water there is just used for washing hands.

I hope the Ibalois find the importance of the salaw they have at home and preserve them.

I wonder what the Ibalois used to keep their tapey before the salaw came.