O rozlicznych pożytkach z tykwy

Abstract

On the numerous benefits of the bottle gourd The bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), also known as calabash, has been known for thousands of years, both in the Old and in the New World, being without a doubt one of the most useful plants domesticated by humans. The article deals with its numerous applications documented in archaeological and historical sources as well as its various uses still observed in various cultures today. Young gourd fruit can be used as food, but interest in the plant grows considerably when its wall becomes lignified, tough and resistant, and can be processed. Gourds are used primarily to produce all kinds of vessels and containers, musical instruments and a huge variety of utensils. They can be also used in hunting and fishing, turned into rafts and used to teach swimming. In addition, calabashes are known to have been used in traditional medicine and rituals of many peoples. They were and still are used to make ceremonial masks and elements of costumes; and they were an important part of grave goods. Although, in the industrialised world, the significance of the plant is undoubtedly smaller than it used to be, people keep finding new applications for it. Artists turning calabashes into beautiful decorative objects are active in many countries.