Gourd (Calabash)

The word ‘calabash’ denotes bowls, containers and dried gourds that hold anything from milk and butter to firewood and are used by the Yoruba people. Within this project they were researched for their role and use during pregnancy and the Eighth Day Naming Ceremony. They were also used in the project video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNlAdOUYwyE). These items were traditionally used to offer the expectant mother pain relief by blowing into the Calabash during child birth. They can also be filled with different types of herbs to offer relief from pain.