Context (Related Documents)
See notes for 1975.22 for further information.
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card description for 1975.63 A-C reads: 'Kal: beer or other liquid calabashes. Prepared in the same way as 1975.61 A-C. Large calabashes are used to hold beer for a party, to wash grain, to carry water to the fields.
Event Date 1975
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Accession Register for 1975.63 [A-C] reads: 'Kal: beer or other liquid calabashes.'
Event Date 1975
Author: Annie Tomkins

Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card description for 1975.63 A-C reads: 'Prepared in the same way as 1975.61 A-C.' Description for 1975.61 A-C: 'The red lining is prepared with a mixture of ochre and squash seed oil. The inside is rubbed with oil, then powdered ochre is shaken over it. It is left to dry, then rubbed with a smooth nut dipped in oil. More powdered ochre is shaken over it and it is left to dry. This process is repeated many times, till each layer, being rubbed into the previous, forms a hard skin. The final layer is rubbed by a nut, then by hand; since this is hard on the hands kal are usually made by old ladies, who have tough, leathery hands. The calabash is then dried in the sun for five days and washed with water boiled with mur kouta tree leaves. This hardens the skin even more. When dry it is ready for use.'
Event Date 1975
Author: Annie Tomkins

Description (Physical description)
Description for 1975.63 B: 'with possibly an original old repair. All have been broken and reconstructed with glue.'
Event Date 12/11/2001
Author: Annie Tomkins

Description (Physical description)
Kal. A large gourd container made from a halved calabash, hemispherical in shape. The outer body has been decorated with black linear and geometric patterns possibly created through pyrography. The inner body has been stained and hardened with a mixture of ochre and squash seed oil. Used to hold cold liquids such as beer and for washing grain and carrying water. Contemporary repair using string to hold a vertical crack at the rim.
Event Date 8/11/2021
Author: Annie Tomkins