Gourds have a wide variety of applications in Africa, such as for storing and serving food and drink. They often display carved or burned decorations – primarily abstract and/or geometrical motifs. The incised white lines are subsequently filled in with lime. The black sections have been burned into the gourd using a hot iron rod.<Br>Gourds that are prepared as souvenirs for Europeans are usually decorated with scenes of people and animals: scenes from everyday life may be depicted, but images of Europeans and their ships are also common.