Known as ginamayan in Ifugao, ceramic jars are prevalent in the Cordillera region and integral to rituals and festivities. According to Ellis (1981), even before the Spanish arrival, Chinese porcelain jars, plates, and other trade goods were being exchanged from the lowlands into the mountainous areas. In this exchange, the people of the Cordillera traded gold, forest products, pigs, carabaos, and sometimes labor for these jars. The acquired jars were primarily used to store baya (rice beer) and basi (sugarcane wine) for ceremonial purposes.
Heirloom jars are particularly prized due to their expense and the difficulty of acquisition and are often passed down from generation to generation.