Here we are featuring a large Maasai calabash (called “kibuyu” in Swahili). This calabash is made from a gourd, similar to a pumpkin, which was cleaned, dried, and then hollowed out. This calabash is typically used by the Maasai people to carry a mixture of milk and blood which they drink. Many of the large calabash gourds have beadwork sewn into the leather strap as you see in the picture. The gourd is fitted with this leather strap so that the Maasai warrior can throw it over his shoulder when going to tend to his herds. We have many of these gourds with slight variation of length and beadwork design. The gourds that we bring in from Kenya range in width from to 6 inches and are from 20 to 32 inches long. This particular gourd is 5" wide and 19" long. |