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Gourd
Gourd Recipe
These gourd facts can be used to help make decisions with regards to including gourd in your diet. A diet full of wholesome, organic, ingredients can improve your health, as well as help the natural environment. If you're currently eating lots of pre-packaged, processed foods, I encourage you to replace those foods with delicious recipes using fresh, wholesome, organic ingredients. I guarantee you'll feel all the better for it!
Nutrition Facts
Gourd is low in Saturated Fat, and Cholesterol and high in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Zinc, Thiamin, Iron, Magnesium and Manganese. Note that Wax Gourd is high in Sodium. The nutritional value of gourd means that it's suitable for maintaining good general health and losing weight.
Gourd History
The Gourd Reserve
The Gourd has been used by man as far back as we can tell, since the very beginning. A gourd grew over Jonah to shade him from the heat as God used this vegetable to teach Jonah a lesson about forgiveness. Pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory may well have been fashioned and made after the shape and uses of gourds.
Purple Martin Gourds
A Brief History of the Purple Martin
Twelve thousand years ago, before the first human beings arrived in the New World over the Bering Land Bridge, Purple Martins were a dramatically different bird than they are today. Back then, martins nested only in the abandoned nesting chambers of woodpeckers, or in the other natural cavities they could find in dead trees or in cliffs. Today, east of the Rockies, martins nest only in human-supplied housing; either in elaborate bird house condominiums known as "martin houses," or in natural or artificial gourds.
Why did Purple Martins stop nesting in their ancestral ways? Perhaps by accident Native American Indians discovered that martins could be lured into their villages by hanging up gourds with holes cut in their sides. (actually, the Indians cut square holes rather than round holes)
Over hundreds and perhaps thousands of bird generations martins gradually gave up their ancestral ways in a process now known as a "behavioral tradition shift." Here's how the tradition shift may have occurred: First, a pair of martins probably tried nesting in a long-handled dipper gourd hung near a pond by natives as a drinking utensil. When the Indians discovered this curiosity, they may have been amused and started hanging other gourds for martins around their campsites.
Because they were nesting near humans (where predators are scarcer) and nesting in chambers far larger than woodpecker cavities, these martins were able to lay more eggs and successfully raise more young to fledging age than martins nesting in natural cavities. It would have been adaptive for the surviving young from these gourd nests to seek them out for nesting sites when they became breeders the following year. Concurrently, the Indians may have discovered other benefits, uses, and pleasures from having martins nesting in their company. For instance, documents from the 18th and 19th centuries suggest that these early Americans attracted martins to their villages because they functioned like scarecrows, chasing crows away from their corn patches, and vultures away from their meats and hides hung out to dry. Additionally, they consumed huge numbers of insects, fie. flies, mosquitoes and other annoying bugs draw to the rubbish/human waste areas around the village. The mutually-beneficial relationship established then, still exists today.
It's fun to speculate what additional benefits these Native Americans may have derived from their custom of martin attraction. Perhaps martins were like alarm clocks, since they begin singing so early and regularly in the morning. Maybe they were like both radios and televisions, since they continually sing such pleasant songs and their behaviors are so entertaining to watch. They certainly would have been like calendars, since every phase of their annual cycle (from arrival, territory establishment, nest-building, egg-laying, hatching, fledging, and departure) is done on a regular and predictable schedule. They may have been like watchdogs, since they are notorious for giving alarm calls when predators or strangers approach.
There is also evidence suggesting that Native Americans may have used the pulverized bodies of martins as moth balls to protect their furs from the ravages of insect vermin during summer storage.
Perhaps for some (or all) of these reasons a cultural tradition began and other native tribes took up the habit of hanging gourds for martins. Gradually, over time, more and more martins chose gourds for nesting, and fewer and fewer chose natural cavities.
When the European colonists arrived in the new world they too adopted the Indian custom of hanging gourds for Purple Martins, but they also supplemented them with ceramic gourds and wooden martin houses. Eventually, by the early 20th century, the entire eastern race of Purple Martins nested only in human-supplied housing, and the tradition shift was complete.
Today, east of the Rockies, Purple Martins are the only bird species totally dependent on humans for supplying them with nesting sites. And they have been managed by man longer than any other North American species.
If humans were to stop supplying martins with homes, they would likely disappear as a breeding bird in eastern North America.
Twelve thousand years ago, before the first human beings arrived in the New World over the Bering Land Bridge, Purple Martins were a dramatically different bird than they are today. Back then, martins nested only in the abandoned nesting chambers of woodpeckers, or in the other natural cavities they could find in dead trees or in cliffs. Today, east of the Rockies, martins nest only in human-supplied housing; either in elaborate bird house condominiums known as "martin houses," or in natural or artificial gourds.
Why did Purple Martins stop nesting in their ancestral ways? Perhaps by accident Native American Indians discovered that martins could be lured into their villages by hanging up gourds with holes cut in their sides. (actually, the Indians cut square holes rather than round holes)
Over hundreds and perhaps thousands of bird generations martins gradually gave up their ancestral ways in a process now known as a "behavioral tradition shift." Here's how the tradition shift may have occurred: First, a pair of martins probably tried nesting in a long-handled dipper gourd hung near a pond by natives as a drinking utensil. When the Indians discovered this curiosity, they may have been amused and started hanging other gourds for martins around their campsites.
Because they were nesting near humans (where predators are scarcer) and nesting in chambers far larger than woodpecker cavities, these martins were able to lay more eggs and successfully raise more young to fledging age than martins nesting in natural cavities. It would have been adaptive for the surviving young from these gourd nests to seek them out for nesting sites when they became breeders the following year. Concurrently, the Indians may have discovered other benefits, uses, and pleasures from having martins nesting in their company. For instance, documents from the 18th and 19th centuries suggest that these early Americans attracted martins to their villages because they functioned like scarecrows, chasing crows away from their corn patches, and vultures away from their meats and hides hung out to dry. Additionally, they consumed huge numbers of insects, fie. flies, mosquitoes and other annoying bugs draw to the rubbish/human waste areas around the village. The mutually-beneficial relationship established then, still exists today.
It's fun to speculate what additional benefits these Native Americans may have derived from their custom of martin attraction. Perhaps martins were like alarm clocks, since they begin singing so early and regularly in the morning. Maybe they were like both radios and televisions, since they continually sing such pleasant songs and their behaviors are so entertaining to watch. They certainly would have been like calendars, since every phase of their annual cycle (from arrival, territory establishment, nest-building, egg-laying, hatching, fledging, and departure) is done on a regular and predictable schedule. They may have been like watchdogs, since they are notorious for giving alarm calls when predators or strangers approach.
There is also evidence suggesting that Native Americans may have used the pulverized bodies of martins as moth balls to protect their furs from the ravages of insect vermin during summer storage.
Perhaps for some (or all) of these reasons a cultural tradition began and other native tribes took up the habit of hanging gourds for martins. Gradually, over time, more and more martins chose gourds for nesting, and fewer and fewer chose natural cavities.
When the European colonists arrived in the new world they too adopted the Indian custom of hanging gourds for Purple Martins, but they also supplemented them with ceramic gourds and wooden martin houses. Eventually, by the early 20th century, the entire eastern race of Purple Martins nested only in human-supplied housing, and the tradition shift was complete.
Today, east of the Rockies, Purple Martins are the only bird species totally dependent on humans for supplying them with nesting sites. And they have been managed by man longer than any other North American species.
If humans were to stop supplying martins with homes, they would likely disappear as a breeding bird in eastern North America.
Native Americans and their use of gourds
ere's an interesting list of what different Tribes
used gourd for....
Almost as simple as walking into the local drug/music/hardware store.
Bottle Gourd;
Cherokee Drug (Dermatological Aid) Poultice of soaked seeds used for boils.
Indians of Louisiana Poultice of crushed leaves applied to the forehead for headaches.
Seminole. (Analgesic) Seeds used for adult's sickness caused by adultery: headache, body pains and crossed fingers.
(Psychological Aid) Seeds burned to smoke the body for insanity.
Ojibwa Food (Vegetable) Gourds eaten young, before the rind had hardened.
Acoma and Laguna Indians (Cooking Tools) Gourds made into dippers. (Toys & Games) Gourds made into rattles.
Cherokee (Ceremonial Items) Fruit used to make ceremonial rattles. Cherokee Other (Cooking Tools) Fruit used to make dippers.
Cocopa (Musical Instrument) Fruit made into a rattle and used to provide rhythm for singing and dancing.
Havasupai (Ceremonial Items) Gourds made into rattles and used for ritualistic music. Other (Containers) Rinds made into containers used for carrying water on foot or on horseback trips away from home.
Hopi Used as prayer sticks. Covered with a cord net to be used as water containers in ceremonies and buried with the dead. Used as containers for sacred honey, cups, seed bottles and medicine holders. (Cooking Tools) Used as dippers, canteens and spoons.
used gourd for....
Almost as simple as walking into the local drug/music/hardware store.
Bottle Gourd;
Cherokee Drug (Dermatological Aid) Poultice of soaked seeds used for boils.
Indians of Louisiana Poultice of crushed leaves applied to the forehead for headaches.
Seminole. (Analgesic) Seeds used for adult's sickness caused by adultery: headache, body pains and crossed fingers.
(Psychological Aid) Seeds burned to smoke the body for insanity.
Ojibwa Food (Vegetable) Gourds eaten young, before the rind had hardened.
Acoma and Laguna Indians (Cooking Tools) Gourds made into dippers. (Toys & Games) Gourds made into rattles.
Cherokee (Ceremonial Items) Fruit used to make ceremonial rattles. Cherokee Other (Cooking Tools) Fruit used to make dippers.
Cocopa (Musical Instrument) Fruit made into a rattle and used to provide rhythm for singing and dancing.
Havasupai (Ceremonial Items) Gourds made into rattles and used for ritualistic music. Other (Containers) Rinds made into containers used for carrying water on foot or on horseback trips away from home.
Hopi Used as prayer sticks. Covered with a cord net to be used as water containers in ceremonies and buried with the dead. Used as containers for sacred honey, cups, seed bottles and medicine holders. (Cooking Tools) Used as dippers, canteens and spoons.
Water Wings
What we now call life vests. They're actually water wings. The gourds fit under the arm pits (to the back) and the twine keeps them together in the front. Kids used them until they learned how to swim, NA' s carried them when they were out in the rivers/bay in case they sank, the water wings would allow them to try and swim back to shore.
TGR Comments:
Were around since the dawn of time. For all the things and conveniences that we use today the utensils, water vessels, bowls and vases, we have found gourds from ancient cultures that have been used for the same thing we currently use modern made utensils for. It really makes me wonder as I look at modern day compotes, vases, centerpieces, and many other modern day he utensils, how much the design of our modern utensils were handed down or patterned after gourds.
Today we use ceramic and plastic utensils and metal silverware, we make plastic bottles to hold our liquids and we have man-made ladles instead of dippers . But gourds have not completely left the scene, but today in modern cultures and gourds are not widely used as serving bowls, canteens for liquids, or for many other uses. Today gourds and formed a new niche in modern society. Courts have become a three-dimensional art canvas, a decorative piece for the fireplace, a centerpiece for the coffee table or the dining room table, or even a lamp or vase for the end table.
Gourds are the vegetable that would not be forgotten. This ancient utensil vegetable that is still used in some primitive cultures, has not been done away with because of modern technology and modern invention. As if the gourd itself has reached out to man as a reminder that it was created for man and to be used by men. It would not be replaced by caramel glass or the finest pottery, but would find its way into the hearts of modern artisans who would turn this ancient utensil into a piece of beauty to be admired by many.
This is what the gourd has become too many of us who have grown gourds and crafted gourds, it has become a wooden vegetable worthy of admiration. If you are new to gourds, we hope you'll find the time to explore this website and to see just how much gourds have been accepted into the world of artistry. There are truly some fine artists whose work is displayed in our gourd artist showcase, who are deserving of global recognition for their artistic skills and the gourds they create deserving of admiration to all who see them.
TGR Comments:
Were around since the dawn of time. For all the things and conveniences that we use today the utensils, water vessels, bowls and vases, we have found gourds from ancient cultures that have been used for the same thing we currently use modern made utensils for. It really makes me wonder as I look at modern day compotes, vases, centerpieces, and many other modern day he utensils, how much the design of our modern utensils were handed down or patterned after gourds.
Today we use ceramic and plastic utensils and metal silverware, we make plastic bottles to hold our liquids and we have man-made ladles instead of dippers . But gourds have not completely left the scene, but today in modern cultures and gourds are not widely used as serving bowls, canteens for liquids, or for many other uses. Today gourds and formed a new niche in modern society. Courts have become a three-dimensional art canvas, a decorative piece for the fireplace, a centerpiece for the coffee table or the dining room table, or even a lamp or vase for the end table.
Gourds are the vegetable that would not be forgotten. This ancient utensil vegetable that is still used in some primitive cultures, has not been done away with because of modern technology and modern invention. As if the gourd itself has reached out to man as a reminder that it was created for man and to be used by men. It would not be replaced by caramel glass or the finest pottery, but would find its way into the hearts of modern artisans who would turn this ancient utensil into a piece of beauty to be admired by many.
This is what the gourd has become too many of us who have grown gourds and crafted gourds, it has become a wooden vegetable worthy of admiration. If you are new to gourds, we hope you'll find the time to explore this website and to see just how much gourds have been accepted into the world of artistry. There are truly some fine artists whose work is displayed in our gourd artist showcase, who are deserving of global recognition for their artistic skills and the gourds they create deserving of admiration to all who see them.
Gourd Whistle / Ocarina
This particular piece was made by Scott Nelson who contributed this information and image to us for our monthly, "What is it" gourd trivia. There were many pieces similar to this one, yet each one unique and different from one culture to another, from the Natives of North America, to those of South America and even Hawaii. The seeds on this gourd whislte are there just for decoration, and this whistle has no holes in it for pitch, however the gourd whistles and gourd ocarinas of most of the tribes have holes in them for creating pitch. The Hawaiians also made nose whistles however most of those made today are made from bamboo.
I do not know what the use or purpose of the Native American Gourd Whistle was, nor the use of the South American Whistle and Gourd Ocarinas, however the Hawaiian nose whistle was used by the men to serenade their lovely lady. Hmm, I like to fiddle with my guitar and Carmella, (my wife), likes to listen. Though the times, technology and cultures vary, we really aren't so different after all.
I do not know what the use or purpose of the Native American Gourd Whistle was, nor the use of the South American Whistle and Gourd Ocarinas, however the Hawaiian nose whistle was used by the men to serenade their lovely lady. Hmm, I like to fiddle with my guitar and Carmella, (my wife), likes to listen. Though the times, technology and cultures vary, we really aren't so different after all.
Gourds in History
If we look at many of the utensils we use today to make our lives easier, we will find in history items of very similar shape and design for many of our modern utensils. Looking at historic gourd utensils make me question, were our modern utensils fashioned after the gourd utensils or were our modern utensils simply designed the way they are because that is the ideal shape. Considering the ideal shapes of so many items, leads us back to the gourds and their natural shapes and how they seem to have been designed specifically for man to grow for use as utensils and tools. Even the fact that gourds can be cross pollinated and selectively bred to create specific designs and shapes seems to have been fashioned into this plant for the benefit of mankind.
Once clays that could be fired in ovens were discovered, pottery was fashioned our of clay and turned into pots, pitchers, and bowls, and many of the ancient pottery bowls were shaped very much like their gourd precursors. On each of the following pages we have an assortment of Gourd utensils from days past, many have been brought to our attention via Native Americans.
Once clays that could be fired in ovens were discovered, pottery was fashioned our of clay and turned into pots, pitchers, and bowls, and many of the ancient pottery bowls were shaped very much like their gourd precursors. On each of the following pages we have an assortment of Gourd utensils from days past, many have been brought to our attention via Native Americans.
- Gourd Strainer or Skimmer
Today we have colendars and strainers, but in ages past we had those too. Here is a gourd strainer that might have been used to pour grease or fat off the top of water or gravy. It could also be used for removing water from solids and other straining and filtering uses. - gourd purse
Native Americans had a version of a gourd purse as well as we do today. Although not as artistic, they were very functionsl. Gourd purses and gourd carry-alls had a large hole for reaching in and they were deep enough to carry their important stuff.