Artifact of the Month:
Betel Nut Container

October 7, 2022

Amanda Kramp, Assistant Curator of Collections & Exhibits

This former Mystery Object had a short run in our visitor poll. Guests selected it as soon as it was posted! These beautiful containers likely held seeds of the areca palm (Areca catechu), commonly referred to as betel nuts, in the large compartment and slaked lime in the smaller compartment. Across the world, these ingredients are prepared in several ways. The most popular is combining them and wrapping them with betel leaves (Piper betle). This preparation has many names, such as betel quid, pan, or paan, depending on the country. The quid is chewed similarly to tobacco or gum and provides a stimulant effect.

Betel nut chewing is a cultural practice throughout the world but occurs primarily in South Asian, Southeast Asian, East Asian, and Oceanic countries. The World Health Organization estimates that around 600 million people take part in the practice and have recognized it as a public health concern since there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer of the mouth and esophagus, as well as systemically affecting almost all organs of the human body.

Despite these health concerns, the custom of betel chewing occurs in various settings, such as in the preparation of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines, as well as in many traditional and social situations.  Many cultures have sayings related to the importance of betel nut chewing. For example, in some Malay cultures, “the betel opens the door to the home,” and in Vietnam, “matters of betel and areca” were historically synonymous with marriage.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is fortunate for the opportunity to share this glimpse into other cultures to “inspire wonder, exploration, and appreciation of our world.”