View source for Kottot

Kottot<ref>[http://www.chamoru.info/dictionary/display.php?action=view&id=6199 Kottot - chamoru.info Dictionary]</ref> is a class of plaited basket that is loosely defined.  It is of varying size and shape, plaited from [[Åkgak|åkgak]] leaves in a diagonal pattern. It may or may not have a cover, and may or may not have handles of varying design and length.  If a particular type of kottot has a specific use it may have a specific name applied to it such as [[Sigarerra|sigarerra]], [[Balakbak|balakbak]], or [[Kostat tengguang|kostat tengguang]].  Where as all of these are derived from various kottot, they are generally called by their specific names.  

== Uses ==
Kottot is generally understood to be woven from åkgak leaves.  It has many uses.  It can be used for storage, displaying items, or for carrying things from place to place.  It is generally used in modern times for holding one's måmå'on (betelnut), and is generally a four-sided basket.

== History ==
Although the kottot is not used in modern times as a common way of transporting items, it is sometimes seen being used in the community.  The existence of kottot has been noted by chroniclers visiting the Marianas since the beginning, and one particular use is for storing rice.  Kottot can be plaited from one width of strip entirely, or multiple strip sizes throughout the item depending on the weaver and the intended use.   Generally work baskets are double plaited, meaning that the material is a two-ply thickness in both the left and right facing elements, and the rim of the kottot has either a rope reinforcement placed into the locking edge, or that the locking edge itself is twisted onto it's neighboring elements to increase the durability.  Previously there were more names associated with kottot of varying usage and size, such as hagug (most likely håkok), and sålu'u, and danglon.

== Cultural significance ==
Kottot are used in modern times to store objects in the home, and as decorations.  It is rare to see a kottot being carried in public as a container to transport items.  Sometimes you can see them as display items during Mes Chamoru celebrations throughout the Marianas.

== Gallery ==

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:kottot_01.jpg| Woven kottot 
File:kottot_02.jpg| Woven kottot 
</gallery>

== Museum holdings ==

=== The Ethnological Museum of Berlin ( Ethnologisches Museum Berlin) ===
* [https://ccc.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/en/item/EB27XQIPP4LPAGWKNAZ2KJ3JDM7J7UGT kottot with åkgak rope handles (VI 22473)]
* [https://ccc.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/en/item/MJZN6YDPJEDXXHW6ZLEGW4UJNE357UPS kottot (VI 20767)]
* [https://ccc.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/en/item/PRQDBOFIKSWASG5N6GBO6GEVW4C7WSQF kottot (VI 20768)]

=== Spain National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología – Madrid) ===
* [https://ceres.mcu.es/pages/Main?idt=18101&inventary=CE6993&table=FMUS&museum=MNA kottot with åkgak handles (CE6993)]
* [https://ceres.mcu.es/pages/Main?idt=18103&inventary=CE6996&table=FMUS&museum=MNA kottot with åkgak handles (CE6996)]


== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Woven items]]
[[Category:Chamorro material culture]]
[[Category:Tinifok åkgak]]