Bottle gourd _ history, uses and folkore
2011
Ahuja, S.C. | Ahuja, Sidharth | Ahuja, Uma
The bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, is grown worldwide in the tropical climates of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe Human utilization of the gourd dates back to thousands of years, and it was long prized as a container before the advent of pottery. This paper discusses the history of bottle gourd, as well as its varied functional, ritualistic, and symbolic uses among various tribes in different countries. Its uses range from food and medicine, and as containers, artifacts, and musical instruments. It has been in use as a vegetable in India since 2,000 BCE. It is part and parcel of the culture of the hill tribes Karbi and Jhasi in Assam (India), as it plays a key role of social ceremonies and rites of passage, as also in the offering of rice beer to gods and deities, and to serve guests. The offer and acceptance of a bottle gourd as a gift is sufficient to declare a couple's engagement among the Karbis. It forms an integral part and essential evident through the local phrases around the plant. It is a symbol of longevity and good luck in China. The number of decorated bottle gourd containers denotes the social status of a Hausa tribesperson in Nigeria, and form an essential or indispensable part of a bride's dowry. The bottle gourd has been for a long time considered as originated and domesticated in Africa. Recent studies have revealed its origin and native home in Asia.
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