While best known for its azure beaches, luscious landforms, and flora and fauna, Bohol also takes pride in its local products. Interestingly, Boholanos have a lot of artisanal crafts to offer. These crafts, coupled with local tourism, make the region progressive without ever sacrificing the innate beauty of Bohol. Here’s a guide to the local artisanal items in Bohol and where to get them.
Weaved Baskets
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Dubbed as the Basket Capital of Bohol, Antequera prides itself on a long rich tradition in basket weaving. Families across generations are taught to weave at a young age. Weaving not only becomes a chore but also a way of life and a means for earning. Each home produces a plethora of baskets which are sold usually on Sunday markets. These markets are flocked by tourists and suppliers alike. The baskets and other weaved items they produce are also exported locally and globally. There are small classes for basket weaving offered at Antequera. One may book a schedule with the local tour guide and get it started.
Raffia
Photo: Sinapido Souvenir Raffia Bags Facebook Page
Raffia is a young fiber that is harvested from buri, an endemic plant in Bohol. The region is blessed with having the best buris, and raffia is one of its best-known products. From tapestries to clothing to bags, one can spot quality raffia-based items not just in the local scene but even abroad. One of the well-known areas in Bohol to buy your raffia item is in Inabanga. Most families in this town know how to make raffia and weave it. Oftentimes, the weavers have an eye for what is the better raffia in the batch and usually, they say it is the lightest shade. From fiber, they are carefully weaved and transformed into cloth. With the recent rave over raffia, the demand for it grows over time as it is both economical and sustainable.
Shell Crafts
Photo: Lakwatserang Ligaw
As in any coastal area, shells are abundant. At Panglao, what started as a hobby of a man who enjoys the beach grew into a fascinating discovery of gems from the sea. Mr. Quirino Hora, a shell hobbyist, built Nova Shell Museum. At Php50 per person, one can tour inside the museum and find the varying shells and even pearls displayed. Apart from the museum tour, you can also visit their store where you can buy various items made of shells and pearls.
Clay Pots
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Alburquerque has a rich deposit of clay in their lands which is why many families in this town have pottery businesses as their livelihood. You can find various clay pots of all shapes and sizes here. Some are designed for storage, others are made for cooking, and there are also pots that are purely decorative. Since Alburquerque is also a huge producer of salt, they also have clay pots that are specifically designed to withstand the lengthy salt-making process.
Bolo
Photo: shankar s. via Wikimedia Commons
Bolo is a local term that means blade. Bolos with cases are usually made by hand and are forged by locals at Loay. While there are modern ways to create metal crafts, the best ones are usually made by hand. One can witness how bolos are made through guided tours made at Loay. Another interesting fact is that the bolos are sustainable. The scrap metals collected by the makers are usually melted and cleansed of their impurities. After having the perfect liquid, these are contained into molds and eventually made of differently sized knives.
Featured Photo: Unsplash
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