~BURI HATS OF ASIA~

Buri (Corypha elata Roxb.) is a palm from which three kinds of fibers, namely buri, raffia, and buntal, are obtained.
The buri palm has large fan-shaped leaves with stout petioles ranging from two to three meters in length. The palm reaches a height of 20 to 40 meters and its trunk attains a diameter of one to 1.5 meters. Of the buri fiber, buntal is the one with the most impact in the market.
The production of buntal fiber started in Sariaya and Tayabas in Quezon while the buntal hat weaving industry began in Baliuag, Bulacan way back during the pre-war years. The introduction of the hat weaving industry turned half of the hat weavers in Baliuag and neighboring barrios to the making of buntal hats instead of bamboo hats.The Philippines was then considered a major exporter of buntal fiber. The growing demand for buntal fiber in the international market resulted to a supply shortage in the domestic market. Local manufacturers faced stiff competition with exporters in sourcing their raw material requirements. They claimed that foreign buntal hat makers were utilizing imported Philippine buntal fiber. To support the then booming local hat weaving industry, the government passed Republic Act No. 4666 known as the Buntal export Total ban Law in 1967 prohibiting the exportation of buntal fiber.

USE AND APPLICATION
Before World War II, buntal fibers were traditionally woven only into hats and bags in a circular strip weaving. However, in the introduction of loom weaving in the late '70s, manufacturers were able to innovate and create new products such as shoes, slippers, coin purses, pen holders, window blinds, attache cases, table accessories, wall papers, desk organizers, screen dividers, decorative pillows and lampshades.
Buri, on the other hand, is made into braids and is also woven into various fibercraft products such as hats, bags and placemats.
Raffia fiber is loom woven into fabrics for wall coverings and upholstery material. Raffia fiber is also made into hats, bags, placemats, mats, folders, portfolios, shoes, slippers, "hula' skirts, other handicraft items and as tying, decor and wrapping material.