A bombilla is a special straw used to drink mate, a traditional South American beverage made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant. This metal or bamboo straw has a filter at one end, which prevents the leaves from being sucked up while sipping the drink. The bombilla allows people to enjoy mate in a social setting, often shared among friends or family. Using a bombilla is an essential part of the mate-drinking ritual. The drink is typically served in a hollowed-out gourd called a mate cup. When sharing mate, one person, known as the cebador, prepares the drink and passes it around, ensuring everyone gets a taste of this unique and flavorful beverage.