What is a Gourd?
There are many types of gourds. The variety of gourds we use for our artwork are from the cucurbit family and grow on large vines similar to pumpkins. After they are harvested and dried, their shells are thick, hard and lightweight. Archaeologists have found evidence that gourds were utilized by early humans as long as 10,000 years ago. They are the first cultivated crop and grow throughout the world. Used as the earliest utilitarian containers, gourds have also been fashioned into musical instruments, ceremonial vessels, masks and even used as replacement “bone” in early medical procedures. Many cultures believe that gourds are a source of good health, or that they are a resting place for good spirits.
