Originally, Calabash pipes were made from African gourds. The gourds are trained by hand, while they grow, to achieve the desired pipe shape: bent into an ""S""-like form. The natural shape of the gourd, fatter at one end - like a bowling pin, provides a cool smoking instrument. Because the gourd cannot sustain extreme heat, Calabash pipes generally have a bowl insert for the tobacco to be placed in: usually ceramic, briar, or meerschaum. Today, the term "Calabash" refers to any pipe in the classic "Gourd" "S"-like shape. "
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