A type of gourd or calabash plant found in Africa, or the vessel made from its hollowed shell.
From Bantu languages of southern Africa, specifically the Tonga or related languages. The word was adopted into English through colonial contact with African peoples.
Before plastic bottles existed, gourds like batoka were so versatile that African cultures developed dozens of specialized names for different types—some for water storage, some for music, some for ceremonies—showing how dependent their lives were on this humble plant.
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