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What kind of gourd is used to make ipu?
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Posted by Anakaleki z9 S.E. Tex (nelumbo_nucifera@hotmail.com) on Fri, Oct 15, 04 at 22:31
| Is there any specific variety or will any large gourd do? Where could I find seed? |
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RE: What kind of gourd is used to make ipu?
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| The particular species used for ipu is Lagenaria siceraria. All the decendants of the original polynesian introduction have been extirpated (the original Hawai'ian variety is extinct). The ipu used for hula and arts in Hawai'i today is imported. A single parasitic species (fungus or animal?) is believed to be responsible for the extinction of the Hawai'ian variety. This parasite is the reason why Lagenaria siceraria is very hard to find in Hawai'i. |
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