PUNI (The Art of Leaf Fronds Folding)

June 21st, 2008 in gallery

rheeza, member

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This is an arrangement of the various leaf art that i hand crafted...

Puni is the Tagalog (Filipino) term for to decorate using leaf fronds. This bird was used in one of the occasions in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Weaving a hat from coconut leaves with Ate Gigi Garcia at Dusit Hotel in Makati Manila...

When my craft was featured in Smart Parenting Magazine

This arrangement is what I presented at the ASEAN-ROK Workshop and Exhibition on Traditional Artifacts
January 16 to 18, 2006
Yangon, Myanmar

This is an arrangement of the various leaf art that i hand crafted...

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PUNI - Bulakenyo's way of decorating using leaf fronds folding
The Art of Leaf Fronds Folding in Bulacan Province Philippines

Puni refers to the dying art of coconut leaf weaving. Puni is a tagalong term from the province of Bulacan which means to beautify or decorate with the use of coconut leaf. Coconut leaves are fashioned by folding, plaiting, braiding and simple weaving, which may have functional as well as aesthetic uses.
Puni designs can be categorized according to their uses. The most common designs are in the form of toys such as birds, fish, grasshopper, etc. They are also used as food containers for suman, rice and various kakanin, the most commonly known is the “puso” and paraphernalia for religious rituals especially during Palm Sunday when these design are used to accentuate the “palaspas”. But today they serve as modern artistic expressions and arrangement. The art is being revived through practical ways by preserving, developing and transforming these puni designs into decorative pieces used as decors, accessories and accents for various arrangement or crafts.
Though fresh coconut leaves is the most commonly used for this art, fresh leaves dry and crumple in a few days, the weaves loosen and the design loose its beauty. In exchange for fresh coconut leaves, dried buri or buli (palm) leaves are use to create a particular puni design and are more suitable as ornamental pieces especially if they are dyed or colored.
Puni or coconut leaf weaving did not originate from Bulacan. It is said that the art is of Malayan origin. But one thing is for sure any place with coconut trees in abundance has an item made from coconut leaf weaving. But the Bulakenyos pioneered the revival of this ephemeral art, at least in our country.
The present collection and compilation of puni designs is a result of continuous research, mostly skills sharing and exchange, along with contributions of various individuals dedicated to revive this vanishing art.
Puni is very Filipino…. It exemplifies the true character of the Filipino, creative, simple yet very artistic, a product of hard work, patience and true love.

Acknowledgement:
This is through the concept and efforts of Mrs. Milagros S. Enriquez, a noted Bulacan food historian, together with the mastery of Mrs.Gigi Garcia that this art is continuously revived, researched, developed and propagated through demonstrations, hands-on workshops and exhibitions.
The Bulakenyos are very proud and very thankful to the people who shared the vision and mission of reviving this particular craft and art form.

Note: This is my narrative piece when I attended the
ASEAN-ROK Workshop and Exhibition on Traditional Artifacts
January 16 to 18, 2006
Yangon, Myanmar

Pattern or design used: My own design

posted in: gallery, puni (leaf fronds folding art), traditional, bulacan, pinoy, philippines, rheeza, leaf folding

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Comments (1)

trusk4u writes: I love the red bird! It's gorgeous! And how wonderful to include pictures of the women working at their art! Fantastic! Posted: 12:51 pm on June 27th

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