A bota bag is a traditional

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

liquid receptacle, used mainly as a wineskin. It is often made out of leather (when made of goatskin it is known as a goatskin itself), and is typically used to carry wine, although any liquid can be filled into it. Often referred to as a canteen.

Construction

Traditionally, bota bags were lined with goat bladders, in other cases tree

sap Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a separ ...

or other resins were used to prevent liquids from seeping through. Modern bota bags have a plastic liner and nozzle.

Variants

The ''zahato'' is the traditional goatskin bottle of the Basque shepherds. With its narrow nozzle, it is possible to drink "zurrust", i.e. intercepting the jet without touching the bottle. The name of ''zahato'' or ''zahako'' (variants: ''xahako'' , ''zarako'') is a diminutive ''zahat-to/-ko'' of ''zahagi'' 'big goatskin bottle'. Its manufacturer is a ''zahatogile''. The zahato is made of two pieces of tanned and close-cropped goatskin. Softened, they are cut out on a last and are sewn on their sides. Then the bottle is turned up, seam and hair inside. After drying, it is inflated, then coated with pitch to make it

impermeable Permeability, permeable, and semipermeable may refer to: Chemistry *Semipermeable membrane, a membrane which will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion *Vascular permeability, the movement of fluids and molecules betwe ...

. The nozzle, traditionally in

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, is fixed by a red collar. The zahato is carried across the shoulder with the red cord which surrounds it along the seam.

Construction

Variants

See also