Kottot: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
== Uses == | == Uses == | ||
Kottot is generally understood to be woven from åkgak leaves. It is used for holding one's måmå'on (betelnut), and is generally a four-sided basket. | 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 == | == History == | ||
Although the woven kostat tengguang is not used in modern times as a common way of transporting one's personal effects, it is sometimes seen being used by older people. 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 of one size weaving, or multiple strip sizes depending on the weaver and the intended use. Generally work bags are double woven, 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. | Although the woven kostat tengguang is not used in modern times as a common way of transporting one's personal effects, it is sometimes seen being used by older people. 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 of one size weaving, or multiple strip sizes depending on the weaver and the intended use. Generally work bags are double woven, 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. | ||
Revision as of 15:36, 25 May 2025
Kottot[1] is a class of woven basket that is loosely defined. It is of varying size and shape, plaited from åkgak leaves in a diagonal weave 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, balakbak, or 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 woven kostat tengguang is not used in modern times as a common way of transporting one's personal effects, it is sometimes seen being used by older people. 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 of one size weaving, or multiple strip sizes depending on the weaver and the intended use. Generally work bags are double woven, 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
-
Woven kottot
-
Woven kottot
Museum holdings
The Ethnological Museum of Berlin ( Ethnologisches Museum Berlin)
Spain National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología – Madrid)
