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- Title:
- PING-GAN
- Date Created:
- 2021-08-18
- Description:
- Atop a dulang table would be plates that in 18th century Pampanga were called PING-GAN. The word and its meaning were listed by Antonio Pigafetta of the first circumnavigation crew in 1521. He found it used by Malay speakers of the Spice Islands. Pampangan conjugated the noun into multiple meanings: MAMING-GAN, to place something on the plate; PIPING-GANAN, the plates used for serving and not those in reserve; MACAPING-GAN, to be on the plate. Bergaño added that MIPING-GAN meant “with company,” as in two persons eating from the same plate. He added “but not [eating] rice” that way. The terms give insight into meal customs. SUIC was the small porcelain plate used for salt and, perhaps by Spanish, for mustard. There was a large plate, the TAPAC, but no description of it survives. There were also bowls such as SUL-LIAO, possibly big, and LAMPAY that was bigger. MANGCOC was a cup to drink water from. One wonders about its size said to be bigger than a sul-liao, as well as its material. Half a small coconut, the BUO and half a larger coconut, the DUBASA were drinking cups. The latter could have multiple functions. CALAMBA and TABOAN were pitchers. The calamba had a “large narrow mouth”. In other languages it meant a pot. From the definition of SAQUID one learns that water was drawn out using a ladle, big spoon, or cupped hands. There was the GABOC, a porcelain jar with a cover but it likely was not for use at table. A vessel with water so ants could not climb into it was termed LAMPACAN. Even today items become unreachable by ants if they or their containers sit in a “moat”. One gleams details that when put together are a harvest re-creating life in early to mid 18th century Pampanga.
- Subjects:
- Diego Bergaño Plate Bowl Porcelain
- Exhibition:
- Pampaga 1732
- Source:
- Ming Dynasty plate, 16th-17th century. Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas. Madrid, Spain. Alamy.com
- Type:
- Image;Still Image
- Format:
- image/jpeg
Source
- Preferred Citation:
- "PING-GAN", Philippine Food History, Felice P. Sta. Maria
- Reference Link:
- felicepstamaria.net/items/coll248.html
Rights
- Rights:
- public domain