The gourd shell ladle is a very age-old and also eco-friendly utensil used by the Santhal tribe, who are one of the biggest tribal communities in Jharkhand. This ladle is made up of a half part of a dried pumpkin gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) which has a naturally formed ground and lightweight, making it an easy piece of daily use in tribal households. The ladle has an elliptical-shaped bowl, hence arranged from the rounded body of the gourd, with a short handle that may be of the gourd itself or the added ones tied with bamboo or wood. Its simple designs show how much the Santhals are resourceful and in touch with nature. The gourd is carefully cleaned and dried, and in some cases, it is even smoked or treated with oil for better durability.
This ladle finds usage in many works at a Santhali household kitchen. They are served in rice gruel, soup, and other traditional drinks such as handia. It is also considered a ritual practice where it pours offerings and libations during religious ceremonies and festivals with the community. This humble object is a utility in itself and symbolizes the sustainable lifestyle and cultural inheritance of the Santhal tribe. Its continued use in Jharkhand today speaks volumes about the community's conservation of indigenous knowledge and eco-conscious living.