Betel Ware

Betel chewing is an ancient tradition that probably originated in the islands of Southeast Asia; it grew widespread enough for Herodotus to have written about it in 340 B.C.E.. In the Philippines it is still an important part of everyday life and social custom, and is an essential tool in courtship.

Betel is said to clean the teeth, sweeten the breath, keep the gums healthy, warm the chewer, and, of course, provide a certain energy boost. The hardware used in chewing it provides an important outlet for artisans.

On Mindanao and in other Moslem-influenced areas, betel boxes are generally made of brass, cast using the lost-wax technique. The Maranao of Lake Lanao are especially noted for their betel boxes.

Ifugao lime containers of incised bamboo The pulp of the areca palm nut is extracted for chewing. The leaf of the betel pepper vine is an essential part of the chew. The areca and a dab of burnt-shell lime are wrapped in the leaf for chewing Pig-shaped stone lime box Deer horn lime container from Luzon cordillera. Old betel box betel box