Koteka

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/koteka

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the botanical source?Primarily Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd); also Nepenthes mirabilis (pitcher plant)
2. What is the geographic origin?Highland ethnic groups of New Guinea
3. How is a koteka made?First, a gourd is chosen for its size, shape, and maturity, then it is dried until it becomes a rigid, hollow shell. A loop of woven fiber is tied to the base to hold it, and a strap is added around the chest or abdomen for extra support.
4. Why do some people use two gourds together?Using two gourds creates a space between them that can be used as a pouch to carry small items like money or tobacco.

Material Culture: The physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture.
Rite of Passage: A ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone's life, such as birth, puberty, or marriage.
Social Signaling: The use of visible cues to convey information about an individual's social status or group affiliation.