Although it is unknown whether or not dotaku were "used by the chieftains for small principalities or by villages in public community festivals", it is certain that they belonged to the community as a whole rather than an individual. Some alternate theories include dotaku being used as "a sundial, producing gold, heating water for bathing, or related to secret Jewish practices", although these explanations have little support within the mainstream archaeological community.
Although it is unknown whether dotaku were used by chieftains of small principalities or villages in public community festivals, it is certain that they belonged to the community as a whole rather than an individual. Some alternative theories include dotaku being used as a sundial, producing gold, heating water for bathing, or related to secret Jewish practices, although these explanations have little support within the mainstream archaeological community.