Container

About this object

History of use

Gourds are used to contain a variety of things. They can be used to gather caterpillars for soup; store liquids like beer, palm oil, tree sap, or water. Decorated gourds, such as this one, are often used to store beer for weddings. Possibly used to store water as well, based off ovava (water in Umbundu language) inscription on decorative band.

Physical description

Spherical gourd container with a circular opening in the top. Band of incised decoration goes around below rim; designs are of an insect, a tree, and a snake. The words, "ONGANJAYO - KUNYUILA OVAVA 17/6/47," are also in the band of decoration.