The gourd vessel exemplifies Bonda tribesmen's utilitarian culture with one of the most ancient and autochthonous tribes of Odisha, found chiefly in the hilly locales of the Malkangiri district. They are known for distinctive culture, attire, and lifestyles; these people use every dag and drop of material found in nature for tools and vessels used in everyday activities-an expression of unparalleled harmony with nature.
The vessel consists of a rounded body whose upper half is slender with a short neck, made from a dried and hollowed gourd, embellished with conceivably the finest functional viewing feature: a twisted strip of bark properly wrapped around its neck to act as a pure handle for suspending or carrying the vessel with ease. This exhaustive yet appealing view breeds volume to the ingenuity with which the Bondas employ naturally available resources. In most Bonda households, these vessels would be used for drinking water, grains, or brewed drinks. Here, the use of gourd vessels emphasizes the eco-friendly lifestyle of the tribe. Elegant in simplicity, the organic shape matches Bonda ideology of simplicity and living with nature.