Mate Container Item Number: 3482/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Small, gourd mate container. Container exterior is covered in orange-brown leather, stitched together along the back side. It is oval-shaped and has a raised, rounded lip made of stainless steel. The lip slopes into a plain border, that extends slightly outward from the container. Leather is pinched in three places, along the base, to form triangular legs. Interior of container is rough, covered in dried pith.
Yerba mate is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink, made by soaking dried leaves of the holly species Ilex paraguariensis in hot water. Traditionally served in a calabash gourd container with a silver straw (bombilla) which serves as both a straw and a sieve.