Half gourd

This is a half gourd cut with a knife and used by a medicinemen and onlookers when he is visiting families. This special shape of gourd is used by medicinemen only and it is not grown by other people. If it happens to seed itself in the fields then it is not picked only the medicine man picks it when ready. The medicine man uses it to wash his hands before a ceremony and by others taking part in the ceremony. The gourd is never washed.