A Briq, Ibrik or Brik () is an

ancient Ancient history is a time period from the beginning of writing and recorded human history through late antiquity. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, beginning with the development of Sumerian cuneiform script. Ancient h ...

teapot and pitcher traditionally used by the inhabitants of

Lebanon Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south ...

and

Syria Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to Syria–Turkey border, the north, Iraq to Iraq–Syria border, t ...

to prepare and drink tea or water. It is a pot and handle with an unconventional spout that allows liquid to be consumed easily with no receptacle and tea to be mixed effectively and conveniently. It is traditionally

earthenware Earthenware is glazed or unglazed Vitrification#Ceramics, nonvitreous pottery that has normally been fired below . Basic earthenware, often called terracotta, absorbs liquids such as water. However, earthenware can be made impervious to liquids ...

, however glass briqs are also commo

It is similar to the Spanish

porron A porrón () is a traditional glass wine pitcher, which holds typical of Spain, originating in Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, and eventually spreading to other parts of Spain. This invention allows everyone to drink from the same utensil wi ...

Use

The briq was historically carried around by people to quench thirst as its design is efficient and easy to use. Sharing and drinking tea with acquaintances and guests is common practice within Lebanese and Syrian culture and it would not be uncommon to share a tea in a briq with potential business customers as a gesture of good will. The lips do not touch the spout whilst drinking and this is especially important and hygienic as it is usually shared between several people.

History

As there is recordings of briqs being used in Lebanon between 1050 and 850 BC, we know briqs were around at the time of the

Phoenicia Phoenicians were an Ancient Semitic-speaking peoples, ancient Semitic group of people who lived in the Phoenician city-states along a coastal strip in the Levant region of the eastern Mediterranean, primarily modern Lebanon and the Syria, Syrian ...

n civilization. Some briqs (albeit without the handle) have been found dating from the

Early Bronze Age The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...

(3500-2200 BC). It is not well known whether these briqs were used for drinking water as they are used today. Drinking from the briq continues to be practised in many of the rural villages in Lebanon, such as in the Druze village of

Sawfar Ru’ Aysat Sawfar or Sawfar ( or صوفر, ), ''Sawfar, Saoufar'' or ''Sofar'') is a village in the Aley District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate in Lebanon Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region ...

, and many

Lebanese people The Lebanese people ( / Romanization of Arabic, ALA-LC: ', ) are the people inhabiting or originating from Lebanon. The term may also include those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains prior to the creation of the mod ...

today keep a briq as a cultural artifact, displaying it on a shelf or using it as a flower vase. Their overall use has declined over time into the modern day, however recent efforts have been made to revitalize this ancient cultural heritage in Lebanon.

References

Teapots Culture of Lebanon Culture of Syria Lebanese cuisine Syrian cuisine National symbols of Lebanon Arab culture Culture of Phoenicia {{drinkware-stub