Gourds can be used in manifold ways: as vase, mask, sculpture, wine taster, gunpowder container, lamp, canteen, key tag, musical instrument, jewellery, flower pot, water jug, dipper, birdhouse, scarecrow, toy etc. Only imagination limits the possibilities of use.

The making of a gourd lamp:

1. Gourd art starts in the vegetable garden. In April, when the weather is slowly getting better, the gourd seeds are sown. The gourd plant loves it warm: only if the weather is right will the crop be right as well. The gourd plants need some support to provide the gourds with enough space to grow, e.g. a tree or fence. The gourds ripen within 5-6 months and then need another approximately 6 months to completely dry up.

Gourd flower in full bloom		Gourd flower in full bloom

 

Gourds hanging in the garden		Gourds hanging in the garden

2.Suitable gourds are selected according to size and shape. Due to the natural differences in size and shape of the gourds, no two can be exactly the same. The names of the varieties reflect the shape of the fruits, which can be shaped e.g. like a club, bottle, kettle, bowl, wheel, jug or a bellied or long-necked vessel etc.

Forms and sizes of gourds vary between types

Suitably shaped and sized gourds

3. The outside of the dried gourds must be cleaned. To this end they are soaked in water, get a strong rub-off and are washed afterwards.

Gourds before cleaning		Gourds after cleaning

4. The gourds must dry well.

Drying gourds

5. An opening is cut into the gourd to clean it from the inside. It is necessary to scrape out the seeds, remove the dirt and polish the surface.

Gourd cleaned from the inside

6. The artistic adornment is drawn onto the gourd.

Embellishment drawn on the gourd

7. Several tools are used to work on the gourd in different ways like drilling, carving etc. The pictures show tools used for making gourd lamps.

Tools		Tools

8. Holes of different sizes are drilled into the gourd and inserting the beads if applicable.

Beads for decorating the gourd		Beads in the gourd

9. The gourd is artistically painted.

Painting tools		The painted gourd

10. Finally the gourd is varnished.

The varnished gourds are drying

11. The electrical installation is carried out: power cord, switch, fitting and light bulb are assembled into the gourd.

Gourd lamp with power cord

12. Switch on the gourd lamp and enjoy its magic light! :-)

 

Gourd lamp - Kürbislampe - Töklámpa - Lampe en calebasse - Calabash lamp - Lámpara de calabaza - Lagenaria siceraria