He Makana

[Emiliano Achaval]

In the Hawaiian language He Makana means A Gift. My wife's auntie Gertrude Mary Joan Damon Haig left an amazing collection of art of old Hawaii, included priceless paintings, Ni'ihau shell leis, feather work and a few precontact calabashes. I took some pictures of the book made for the inaugural exhibit in 2013 at the Hawaii State Art Museum. She donated her entire collection to the museum for the people of Hawaii.
For those interested in reproducing the Hawaiian calabash, this is it, the real deal.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Very nice. I would like to be able to go to the museum and see the collection.

 

[tdrice]

Beautiful! Are the bottoms round or flattened?

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Beautiful! Are the bottoms round or flattened?

These are precontact ancient calabashes, they were all round bottoms...

 

[Owen Lowe]

These are precontact ancient calabashes, they were all round bottoms...

Do you know the historical context that gave an advantage to rounded bottoms?

 

[Bill Boehme]

Do you know the historical context that gave an advantage to rounded bottoms?

I think that the answer would be more easily identified if we rephrase the question to ask what factors brought about flat bottoms on bowls. The answer probably is connected to the advent of flat surfaces for the average person ... what we would call tables on which to sit the bowls. Otherwise, there isn't any benefit to a flat bottom as opposed to having an ergonomically curved bottom that fits your hand or lap or the ground. It's certainly easier to make a bowl with a curved bottom and in many cases gourds were used.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Do you know the historical context that gave an advantage to rounded bottoms?

One of the reasons was that they would scoop the poi out of the calabash and it will sit back upright again on its own. Also, like Bill said, they ate on the ground, and some of them on the sand by the beach where the round bottom was perfect. They also got their inspiration on the gourds they also used for food and water... I see you guys didn't read my article on the Hawaiian calabash, lol

 

[hockenbery]

Most pre-columibian pottery have round bottoms some have pointed bottoms.
Pointed bottoms can be wedged into the ground to stay upright
Round bottoms are marvelous at staying upright.

 

[tdrice]

A flat bottom is only useful when you have a flat surface to set it on.