Red and Black Gourd Mate Cup with Straw

This is a traditional natural calabash mate gourd with a bombilla.  It is a traditional container used for drinking yerba mate, a popular South American herbal tea. The gourd is made from a hollowed-out and dried squash plant. The accompanying straw, known as a bombilla, is used as both a straw and a filter for the yerba mate leaves. Traditional natural gourds often need to be "cured" (seasoned) before use to prevent cracking and molding. Cup-3.75"×3.25" Bombilla-7.5"