A "bombilla" is a traditional metal straw used to drink mate, a popular herbal tea in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The bombilla has a filter at one end to prevent the tea leaves from being sucked up while drinking. It is often made of stainless steel, silver, or other metals, and comes in various designs. When preparing mate, the bombilla is inserted into a gourd filled with the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. The drink is typically shared among friends or family, with each person taking turns sipping from the same gourd, promoting social interaction and bonding.