My object is an indigenous bowl that was made in the southern east part of Guatemala. It is made out of a fruit shell. The fruit is called a “calabash.” This calabash bowl is used for food storage, liquids and such water. The calabash fruit looks like a coconut even though it’s not. The town this bowl was made in is called Izabal. My maternal grandmother lives there. The calabash shell can be used for more things like musical instruments, ornaments and dishes. How a calabash bowl can be made is by cutting it in half then taking the pulp out. Sometimes it’s white but when it gets heated it turns black. Some people drink it afterwards whether it's hot or cold. The pulp of the calabash fruit can also be also used for calabash cake and medicine. This bowl and this type of fruit is important to me because it reminds me of my grandmother. My maternal grandmother is Guatemalan and she speaks fluent Spanish. This is important to me because I am also part Jamaican, but I am proud of both my cultures.

– Emily Castillo

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant