What are Gourds and How To Use Them for Arts and Crafts

Many people have never heard of a gourd and would ask me, "What is a gourd?" They think they are strange looking pumpkins. Gourds are actually a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and grow like a pumpkin, but the are in the same category as melons and squash with long vines that can reach 25 to 50 feet long.

Digital Gourds chart © Dan Dunkin 2003
This chart is used courtesy The Gourd Reserve

There are many types of gourds, and often there is some mold on the outside that you will want to clean off. This can be done by soaking gourds in warm water with some bleach or a disinfectant. How long you leave it in the water depends on how bad the outside is-but can be about 20 minutes up to a few hours. You don't want to be touching the mold with your hands so wear a pair of kitchen rubber gloves while cleaning them.

Very Important to Consider is your own possible allergies. Some people are more allergic than others, and gourd dust (and mold spores) isn't healthy. Work in a well ventilated area, and use a dust mask or small respirator when sanding and cleaning the inside of the gourd, and latex gloves while handling prior to cleaning the outside. Wash all surfaces and clothing to rid them of any of the gourd dust that might settle during the cleaning process.

The insides of Gourds are full of pulp and seeds. These need to be cleaned out, and the best way to start is to use a scoop of some sort like an ice cream scoop. If you live where you might want to grow your own gourds you can save the seeds, if not, just discard the insides. Scoop everything out, then take a pot scrubber (the steel ones) to get the pulp off as much as you need. Some crafts will need a cleaner inside than others, and you will know how you want yours to look.

There are some gourds when you cut them open they will have a beautiful satin sheen on the inside. Depending on what you want to do with your gourd you might want to leave it as is, taking the seeds and stuff out first.

NOTE: When cleaning the inside and when sanding the gourd, wear a mask! The dust can affect allergies, and the mask will keep it out of your lungs.

Gourd Rattles are used in several different Native American dances and ceremonies. The Cahuilla Bird Singers use Gourd Rattles for their songs. The rattles are made from gourds that have been cleaned, painted, and many are beaded. Each one has a different sound depending on how it was made. Gourds have been used by Native Americans for everything including musical instruments for thousands of years. The Traditional Gourd Rattles use the seeds of the Date Palm Tree, and a wooden dowel for the handle.