By Kenya National Archives
Kenya National Archives
INTRODUCTION
Calabash is the term used for artefacts made from the hard shell of a fruit in the gourd family "Lagenaria siceraria." Once the calabash is dried and hollowed out it can be used for serving or storing food. It can also be used as an inkpot, cosmetic container and by market women as a money box. Aside from the use as containers, calabashes are frequently adapted as musical instruments such as the flute, violin, harp, xylophone and the rattle (which is made with seeds inside or with cowries/beads on the outside).
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
In West Africa calabash vessels were used for many practical pursposes. Their makers enhanced the beauty of these objects of daily use by decorating their surfaces in different ways. In this example we can see how the gourds curved surface is decorated with abstract motifs of animals and other forms. The lines were incised and darkened to emphasize them.
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
This calabash is a fine example of how the artist took advantage of the gourd's unique shape and large surface to create a sophisticated image of an elephant. In this photograph the elephant is actually oriented upside down.
Take a closer look. Can you see the elephant's four legs and feet? The large flap of its ear and its trunk?
Akamba Beer Gourds
Beer gourds of this type were developed by the Kamba ethnic group located in the eastern and northern areas of, Kenya. Akamba farmers grew cane from which they produced beer. Large gourds of this type were decorated in a variety of ways.
Akamba beer gourd (1800/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
Similar to the previous image, this Akamba gourd was also used to store beer. Gourds of this design were found by European explorers in the 1800s. The body of the gourd is dressed in an intricately beaded cover composed of white, red, turquoise, and black beads.
A neck is also encircled with a beaded design, and the leather strap is decorated with small cowries, a type of shell used as currency in Western Africa.
Akamba beer gourd (1800/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
Developed among the Kamba of Kenya, the top of the vessel is decorated with a set of concentric circles representing Mt Kilimanjaro which the Kamba consider their ancestral home. The figures around the mountain are the ancestral creatures of the tribe.
Akamba beer gourd (1800/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
This calabash features a striking combination of decorative techniques including a finely carved band of incised and carved lines set off by bands of black and red paint.
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
A large calabash container decorated with incised lines and abstract motifs carved into a black painted surface.
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
Detail view of another black calabash with painted and incised motifs.
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
African calabash (1900/2015) by UnknownKenya National Archives
Research and curation:
1. Martin K. Maitha
2. Magunga Williams Oduor, who runs Kenya's leading digital creative writing space (www.magunga.com)
3. Belva Digital team.
Photography: Bobbypall Photography (http://bobbypallphotography.co.ke/)
Images: Kenya National Archives
