Hopi Rattle Squash (Lagenaria siceraria)

Hopi rattle gourd (Siceraria lagenaria) : ornamental gourd used to make rattles typical of Native American propitiatory rites, such as the famous rain dance typical of the Hop tribe "little people of peace".

The gourd has distinct shapes, one resembling a bottle and another perfectly oval. Once the right size was reached, the gourd was hung and pierced. The seeds and pulp were removed from the small cavity, replaced with corn, dried peas, or stones. A handle was attached and finely decorated, allowing the gourd to chant the notes during a ritual dance to please its deities, so that by crying, they might irrigate their arid lands. Gourds of the "lagenaria" genus are used for practical purposes, such as making bottles or ritual vessels, or, as in this case, for artifacts.

It is easy to grow, very productive, and can produce up to twenty pumpkins. It is not demanding on soil or water requirements.

Few are edible, but among these is our "Sicilian Snake Pumpkin".