{{Short description|Ancient teapot and pitcher traditionally used by the inhabitants of Lebanon and Syria}} thumb|Lebanese Arabs drinking out of a Briq and eating a mezze, 1889A '''Briq, Ibrik''' or '''Brik''' ({{langx|ar|بريق}}) is an ancient teapot and pitcher traditionally used by the inhabitants of Lebanon and Syria to prepare and drink tea or water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read The Briq THE CULTURAL SYMBOL OF LEBANON Online|url=https://www.scribd.com/article/450986366/The-Briq-The-Cultural-Symbol-Of-Lebanon|access-date=2020-11-12|website=Scribd|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z0AUAQAAIAAJ&q=brik+lebanese|title=Viewpoints|date=1966|publisher=American Friends of the Middle East|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Dawn|first=Campbell|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IS8XrKTH1BcC&q=brik+syria&pg=PA164|title=The Tea Book|date=1995 |publisher=Pelican Publishing|isbn=978-1-4556-1279-6|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Nafzāwī 1886">{{Cite book|last=Nafzāwī|first=ʻUmar ibn Muḥammad|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pmAYAAAAYAAJ&q=brik+arab&pg=PA115|title=The Perfumed Garden of the Cheikh Nefzaoui: A Manual of Arabian Erotology|date=1886|publisher=for the Kama Shastra Society of London and Benares|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Dawn|first=Campbell|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IS8XrKTH1BcC&q=brik+lebanese&pg=PA164|title=The Tea Book|date=1995 |publisher=Pelican Publishing|isbn=978-1-4556-1279-6|language=en}}</ref> It is traditionally earthenware, however glass briqs are also common. It is similar to the Spanish porron.
== 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.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ward|first=Mary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t2PzWM-aUWcC&q=brik+lebanese&pg=PP87|title=Top 100 Tea Recipes|date=2009|publisher=Frederick Fell Publishers|isbn=978-0-88391-164-8|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Nafzāwī 1886"/> The lips do not touch the spout whilst drinking and this is especially important and hygienic as it is usually shared between several people.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Nabti|first=Patrica|title=The briq, the cultural heritage of Lebanon|url=https://mylebanonmyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/HOME-Magazine-The-Briq-The-Cultural-Symbol-of-Lebanon-Tradition-Health-and-Sustainable-Practice-2.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116160602/https://mylebanonmyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/HOME-Magazine-The-Briq-The-Cultural-Symbol-of-Lebanon-Tradition-Health-and-Sustainable-Practice-2.pdf |archive-date=2020-11-16 |access-date=|website=}}</ref>
== History == {{see also|Phoenicia}} 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 Phoenician civilization. Some briqs (albeit without the handle) have been found dating from the Early Bronze Age (3500-2200 BC). It is not well known whether these briqs were used for drinking water as they are used today.<ref name=":0" />
Drinking from the briq continues to be practised in many of the rural villages in Lebanon, such as in the Druze village of Sawfar, and many Lebanese people today keep a briq as a cultural artifact, displaying it on a shelf or using it as a flower vase.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=#BringingBackTheBriq Campaign {{!}} nysw-lebanon|url=http://www.volunteerforlebanon.org/?q=BBB|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.volunteerforlebanon.org}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OZvb43RTZY Making a Lebanese Glass Briq at Golden Glass, Tripoli, Lebanon] on YouTube
{{Lebanon topics}} {{Syria topics}} {{Culture of Asia}} {{Teas}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Teapots Category:Culture of Lebanon Category:Culture of Syria Category:Lebanese cuisine Category:Syrian cuisine Category:National symbols of Lebanon Category:Arab culture Category:Culture of Phoenicia {{drinkware-stub}}