BOTH THE RIVERS AND THE OCEAN SHORES. ESPECIALLY THE CLEAR LAKE POMO ALONG THE LAKE SHORES DEVELOPED A VERY COMPLEX WAY OF FISHING AND HAD ELABORATE NETS AND FISH TRAPS AS WELL AS OBSIDIAN, SHELL OR BONE FISH HOOKS. THEY BUILT THEIR BOATS AND RAFTS OUT OF TULE. STREAM FISHING WAS DONE BY MAKING A WEIR OF WILLOW LACINGS AS WELL AS BY SPEARING THEM. AND OF COURSE THE TRIBES USED GROUND UP SOAPROOT BULBS IN THE WATER TO STUPIFY THE FISH. THEN THEY WERE SCOOPED UP WITH BASKETS AND DRIED OR SMOKED. SEINE NETS AND OTHER NETS WERE USED TO CATCH FISH IN THE LAKE. ALSO THEY USED A HARPOON TO CATCH LARGER FISH.
IN THE OCEAN THE COAST MIWOK AND OTHERS COLLECTED ABALONE AND DRIED IT RAW. THEN COOKED IT IN STRIPS ON HOT COALS IN AN EARTHEN OVEN. THERE WERE MABY OTHER FISH CAUGHT FROM THE OCEAN. ALSO CRABS, SEA LIONS, SEALS AND OTTERS WERE ALSO SPEARED AND EATEN.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
POMO LANGUAGES
THE POMO HAD A CLUSTER OF BANDS OR GROUPS THAT HAD SIMILAR LANGUAGES IN THE SAME GENERAL GEOGRAPHICAL LOCAL. THE TRIBES THAT WERE IN MENDOCINO, SONOMA, AND LAKE COUNTIES HAD DIFFERENT DIALECTS. FOR EXAMPLE AN EASTERN POMO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTHEASTERN POMO. THEY ALL BELONG TO THE HOKAN LINGUISTIC FAMILY WHICH IS VERY COMPLEX. IT INCLUDES GROUPS SUCH AS SHASTAN, CHIMARIKO, YANA, KAROK, WASHO, ESSELEN AND SALINAN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, CHUMASH AND YIUMAN IN THE SOUTH. IT IS POSSIBLY THE OLDEST LINGUISTIC FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA.
TODAY MOSTLY THE DANCERS KNOW THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE - THAT IS ABOUT 1% OF THE POMO TRIBES.
TODAY MOSTLY THE DANCERS KNOW THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE - THAT IS ABOUT 1% OF THE POMO TRIBES.
OHLONE DEER HUNTING
HUNTING WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN A MAN'S LIFE. THEY PREPARED BEFORE THE WENT TO HUNT DEER. THEIR PREPARATION WAS CENTERED AROUND THE SWEAT HOUSE. THE VILLAGES MAY HAVE HAD TWO OR MORE AND MEN HAD TO ENTER BY CRAWLING IN. THEY KEEP THEIR BOWS AS WELL AS SHELLS HALF-WORKED INTO BEADS AS WELL AS PRAYER STICKS AND EAGLE FEATHERS. IN THE SWEAT HOUSE WRAPPED IN DEER SKIN COVERS. THE BOW IS A POWERFUL OBJECT AND THE MEN DO NOT LEAVE IT STRUNG.
THE MEN TAKE SWEATS AND THEN JUMP INTO A STREAM. THE SWEAT HOUSE NOT ONLY PURIFIES AND CLEANS THEM PHYSICALLY BUT IT ALSO IS THE CENTER OF THEIR SPIRITUAL CLEANSING. HIS OTHER PURIFICATIONS BEFORE DEER HUNTING IS THAT HE LIVES SEPARATE FROM HIS WIFE AND DOES NOT LOOK AT HER. HE AVOIDS MEAT, FISH, SALT AND OILY FOODS. HE SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME DAY AND NIGHT AROUND OR IN THE SWEAT HOUSE. HIS DISCIPLINE AS WELL AS HIS DEPRIVATION FROM CERTAIN FOODS AND ACTIVITES STRENGHTHENS HIM INWARDLY. HE IS OPEN TO THE SPIRIT WORLD.
HE SMOKES TOBACCO AND ONE NIGHT HE GRINDS OYSTER SHELLS TO MAKE LIME. HE MIXES THE LIME WITH TOBACCO AND SWALLOWS IT AND THEN VOMITS. THIS SWEATING AND FASTING MAKES HIM FEEL ALMOST TRANSPARENT. SO HE SLEEPS AND MAY DREAM THAT A HUNTING ALLY WILL COME TO HIM, INSTRUCT HIM AND MAYBE TEACH HIM A POWER SONG.
THE NEXT DAY HE THANKS HIS ALLY AND BATHES IN THE CREEK AND MAY COLLECT AN HERB. HE RUBS ANGELICA AND OTHER HERBS ON HIMSELF AS WELL AS HIS BOWS AND ARROWS. HE SWEATS AGAIN AND GRINDS A BALL OF RED CLAY IN A MORTAR AND SOME OTHER MAN PAINTS DESIGNS OVER HIS ENTIRE BODY. HE WEARS A DEER HEAD MASK AND HUNTS WITH OTHER MEN WHO HAVE PREPARED THEMSELVES FOR THE HUNT. THEY USE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO HUNT THEIR DEER. THE HUNTERS CHEW TOBACCO AND THIS ALTERS HIS CONSCIOUSNESS. IT IS A DRAMA AS HE ENTERS VERY CLOSE TO A HERD AND SHOOTS ONE. IR IS A SPIRITUAL COMPLEXITY THAT IS PLAYED OUT IN NATIVE CALALIFORNIA. HE SAYS A PRAYER AND DRAGS THE DEER BACK TO THE VILLAGE TO SHARE WITH HIS RELATIVES. THE MEN GIVE HIM SOME FISH TO EAT AND WOMEN GIVE HIUM STEAMED ROOTS AND CHUNKS OF ACORN BREAD. HE IS RESTRICTED OF EATING DEER MEAT AND THE HUNT ENDS AS A EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL AWARENESS.
THE BOYS AT THE AGE OF 12 SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS IN A MEETING HOUSE WITH THE ELDERS LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TRIBE, THEIR DANCES, CUSTOMS, SONGS AND HOW TO HUNT. THEY HAD AN INITIATION CEREMONY AT THE END OF THIS LEARNING.
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
A HUNTER HONORED THE SPIRIT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DEER AND HIMSELF. THEY USED BOW AND ARROWS AS WELL AS CLUBS. SOME HUNTERS DROVE THE DEER DOWN A FAMILIAR PATH WHERE THE HUNTERS FIRED THEIR ARROWS. THEY FELT THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE DEER DID NOT DIE. A DEER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. ALL ANIMALS WERE THE NAR=TIVES RELATIONS. EVERY PART OF THE DEERWAS USED - THE MEAT WAS DRIED, ROASTED, OR BAKED. WOMEN TANNED THE DEER'S SKIN TO MAKE CLOTHING.MEN USED THE SINEW TO CONNECT THEIR ARROW SHAFTS. THE ATE GROUND UP BONE MEAL. AND DEER HOOVES WERE MADE INTO RATTLES.
THE MEN TAKE SWEATS AND THEN JUMP INTO A STREAM. THE SWEAT HOUSE NOT ONLY PURIFIES AND CLEANS THEM PHYSICALLY BUT IT ALSO IS THE CENTER OF THEIR SPIRITUAL CLEANSING. HIS OTHER PURIFICATIONS BEFORE DEER HUNTING IS THAT HE LIVES SEPARATE FROM HIS WIFE AND DOES NOT LOOK AT HER. HE AVOIDS MEAT, FISH, SALT AND OILY FOODS. HE SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME DAY AND NIGHT AROUND OR IN THE SWEAT HOUSE. HIS DISCIPLINE AS WELL AS HIS DEPRIVATION FROM CERTAIN FOODS AND ACTIVITES STRENGHTHENS HIM INWARDLY. HE IS OPEN TO THE SPIRIT WORLD.
HE SMOKES TOBACCO AND ONE NIGHT HE GRINDS OYSTER SHELLS TO MAKE LIME. HE MIXES THE LIME WITH TOBACCO AND SWALLOWS IT AND THEN VOMITS. THIS SWEATING AND FASTING MAKES HIM FEEL ALMOST TRANSPARENT. SO HE SLEEPS AND MAY DREAM THAT A HUNTING ALLY WILL COME TO HIM, INSTRUCT HIM AND MAYBE TEACH HIM A POWER SONG.
THE NEXT DAY HE THANKS HIS ALLY AND BATHES IN THE CREEK AND MAY COLLECT AN HERB. HE RUBS ANGELICA AND OTHER HERBS ON HIMSELF AS WELL AS HIS BOWS AND ARROWS. HE SWEATS AGAIN AND GRINDS A BALL OF RED CLAY IN A MORTAR AND SOME OTHER MAN PAINTS DESIGNS OVER HIS ENTIRE BODY. HE WEARS A DEER HEAD MASK AND HUNTS WITH OTHER MEN WHO HAVE PREPARED THEMSELVES FOR THE HUNT. THEY USE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO HUNT THEIR DEER. THE HUNTERS CHEW TOBACCO AND THIS ALTERS HIS CONSCIOUSNESS. IT IS A DRAMA AS HE ENTERS VERY CLOSE TO A HERD AND SHOOTS ONE. IR IS A SPIRITUAL COMPLEXITY THAT IS PLAYED OUT IN NATIVE CALALIFORNIA. HE SAYS A PRAYER AND DRAGS THE DEER BACK TO THE VILLAGE TO SHARE WITH HIS RELATIVES. THE MEN GIVE HIM SOME FISH TO EAT AND WOMEN GIVE HIUM STEAMED ROOTS AND CHUNKS OF ACORN BREAD. HE IS RESTRICTED OF EATING DEER MEAT AND THE HUNT ENDS AS A EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL AWARENESS.
THE BOYS AT THE AGE OF 12 SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS IN A MEETING HOUSE WITH THE ELDERS LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TRIBE, THEIR DANCES, CUSTOMS, SONGS AND HOW TO HUNT. THEY HAD AN INITIATION CEREMONY AT THE END OF THIS LEARNING.
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
A HUNTER HONORED THE SPIRIT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DEER AND HIMSELF. THEY USED BOW AND ARROWS AS WELL AS CLUBS. SOME HUNTERS DROVE THE DEER DOWN A FAMILIAR PATH WHERE THE HUNTERS FIRED THEIR ARROWS. THEY FELT THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE DEER DID NOT DIE. A DEER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. ALL ANIMALS WERE THE NAR=TIVES RELATIONS. EVERY PART OF THE DEERWAS USED - THE MEAT WAS DRIED, ROASTED, OR BAKED. WOMEN TANNED THE DEER'S SKIN TO MAKE CLOTHING.MEN USED THE SINEW TO CONNECT THEIR ARROW SHAFTS. THE ATE GROUND UP BONE MEAL. AND DEER HOOVES WERE MADE INTO RATTLES.
FUTURE FARMERS FAIR PARADE
LAST NIGHT I ATTENDED THE FUTURE FARMERS FAIR WHICH IS IN HEALDSBURG. LUCKILY THE TORRENTIAL RAIN HAD STOPPED BY THEN. IT HA BEEN UNUSUALY COOL THIS YEAR. THE PEOPLE CAME OUT OF THEIR HOUSES AND WATCHED THE FAIR FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS. THE FAIR IS KIND OF A COMMERCIAL AFFAIR FOR THE POLITICIANS AS WELL AS FOR THE LARGER COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES. SOME OF THE BANKS WERE REPRESENTED AS WELL.
THEY ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF PRESCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON FLOATS AND OTHER FLOATS SUCH AS THE FOUR H, FARMERS MARKET GROUP, AND OLD TRACTORS. ONE OF THE COUNCIL WOMAN WAS RIDING A SMALL CART PULLED BY A MINIATURE HORSE.
THE GROUP I ENJOYED THE MOST WAS A DANCING GROUP FROM MEXICO WHO HAD MADE THEIR COSTUMES FROM SHREDDED CLOTHS AND DANCED TO A MEXICAN BAND ON A FLOAT. THEY MADE MASKS FROM PAPER MACHE OR FROM STRAY, AND THE HAD TALL HATS MADE FROM STAW. SOME OF THESE DANCERS REMINDED ME OF KOKOPELLI WHO HAS A HUMPED BACK - THEY HAD PUT A HUMP ON SOME OF THEIR BACKS. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED AT THE END OF DANCING IN CIRCLES. THERE ALSO WAS A HIGH BAND DRESSED IN FARMERS CLOTHING AND THE DIRECTOR CARRIED A PITCH FORK.
I SAW SOME OLD FRIENDS AND TEACHERS I HAD KNOWN. MOST OF THE PEOPLE WERE IN GOOD SPIRITS.
THERE WERE SOME BEAUTIFUL HORSES WHO HAD ARABIAN DRESSED WOMEN RIDERS AS WELL AS SOME COWGIRLS. THE WAS A MARIACHI MEN GROUP RIDING AND DANCING WITH THEIR HORSES.
OF COURSE THERE WERE MANY FIRE ENGINES AND OLD TIME CARS WITH THE NEW MAYOR.
THEY ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF PRESCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON FLOATS AND OTHER FLOATS SUCH AS THE FOUR H, FARMERS MARKET GROUP, AND OLD TRACTORS. ONE OF THE COUNCIL WOMAN WAS RIDING A SMALL CART PULLED BY A MINIATURE HORSE.
THE GROUP I ENJOYED THE MOST WAS A DANCING GROUP FROM MEXICO WHO HAD MADE THEIR COSTUMES FROM SHREDDED CLOTHS AND DANCED TO A MEXICAN BAND ON A FLOAT. THEY MADE MASKS FROM PAPER MACHE OR FROM STRAY, AND THE HAD TALL HATS MADE FROM STAW. SOME OF THESE DANCERS REMINDED ME OF KOKOPELLI WHO HAS A HUMPED BACK - THEY HAD PUT A HUMP ON SOME OF THEIR BACKS. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED AT THE END OF DANCING IN CIRCLES. THERE ALSO WAS A HIGH BAND DRESSED IN FARMERS CLOTHING AND THE DIRECTOR CARRIED A PITCH FORK.
I SAW SOME OLD FRIENDS AND TEACHERS I HAD KNOWN. MOST OF THE PEOPLE WERE IN GOOD SPIRITS.
THERE WERE SOME BEAUTIFUL HORSES WHO HAD ARABIAN DRESSED WOMEN RIDERS AS WELL AS SOME COWGIRLS. THE WAS A MARIACHI MEN GROUP RIDING AND DANCING WITH THEIR HORSES.
OF COURSE THERE WERE MANY FIRE ENGINES AND OLD TIME CARS WITH THE NEW MAYOR.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
NOMLAKI MESSENGERS
EACH INDIAN GROUP FELT THAT THEY WERE THE CENTER OF THE WORLD. THE NOMLAKI LIVED IN MENDOCINO COUNTY. THEY HAD LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS WHO COULD DELIVER MESSAGES TO NEIGHBORING TRIBES. EACH GROUP FELT THAT THEY HAD NEIGHBORS WHO HAD EVIL MAGIC AND WERE TREACHEROUS. HOWEVER EACH TRIBE RELIED UPON OTHER NEIGHBORS FOR TRADE AND FOR MARRIAGE PARTNERS AS WELL AS FOR ENTERTAINMENT/CEREMONIES. GOING INTO ANOTHER VILLAGE WAS LIKE TRAVELING INTO A DIFFERENT WORLD FOR THEM SINCE THEY HAD VARIOUS LANGUAGES AND CEREMONIES AND FOOD TYPES AS WELL AS DIFFERENT GAMES AND WAYS OF LIFE. AFTER WINTER IT WAS GOOD TO VISIT AND SOCIALIZE WITH A LOT OF THEIR NEIGHBORS.
WHEN WINTER WAS OVER A LITTLE BIRD WOULD SAY "WITWITWIT". THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS WOULD SEND NEWS TO THE NEIGHBORS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A DANCE, FEAST, AND CEREMONY. HE HAD A STRING WITH KNOTS IN IT AND THE KNOTS REPRESENTED THE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT WERE LEFT UNTIL THE CELEBRATION. ONE STRING IS GIVEN TO EACH HEADMAN VILLAGE. THE PEOPLE COME ON THE DAY THE LAST KNOT IS UNTIED.
THE MESSENGERS EAT A SPECIAL DIET AND THEY HAVE NO OTHER JOB. HE MUST ALWAYS BE ABLE TO RUN. HE DOES NOT HUNT OR FISH. HIS MEMORY MUST BE THE BEST SINCE HE HAD TO KEEP THE MESSAGES STRAIGHT.
MALCOMB MARGOLIN
WHEN WINTER WAS OVER A LITTLE BIRD WOULD SAY "WITWITWIT". THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS WOULD SEND NEWS TO THE NEIGHBORS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A DANCE, FEAST, AND CEREMONY. HE HAD A STRING WITH KNOTS IN IT AND THE KNOTS REPRESENTED THE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT WERE LEFT UNTIL THE CELEBRATION. ONE STRING IS GIVEN TO EACH HEADMAN VILLAGE. THE PEOPLE COME ON THE DAY THE LAST KNOT IS UNTIED.
THE MESSENGERS EAT A SPECIAL DIET AND THEY HAVE NO OTHER JOB. HE MUST ALWAYS BE ABLE TO RUN. HE DOES NOT HUNT OR FISH. HIS MEMORY MUST BE THE BEST SINCE HE HAD TO KEEP THE MESSAGES STRAIGHT.
MALCOMB MARGOLIN
FEAST SPEECHES
MALCOLM MARGOLIN SPEAKS ABOUT A TRIBE WHICH HAS A FEAST AND DANCES WITH CEREMONIES AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. THE SPRING AND FALL HAD CEREMONIES IN ORDER TO ENSURE PLENTIFUL HARVEST IF ACORNS, GREENS, ROOTS, SEEDS, AND BERRIES. THE CEREMONIES LASTED FOR 4 DAYS OF GAMES, SWEATING, SPEECHES, AND PERFORMANCES. WHEN THEW GUEST CAME TO THE VILLAGE THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES WELCOMED PEOPLE. THEIR THEME WAS TO ENJOY YOURSELF AND BECOME NON AGGRESSIVE TOWARD EACH OTHER. THE SPEAKERS GAVE SPEECHES SIMILAR TO A BASKET THAT WOUND AROUND ITSELF AND WAS CREATIVE AND WITH REPEATING PATTERNS.
COME ON, COME ON COME ON
GIRLS COME OUT, YOUTHS COME OUT
CHILDREN COME OUT
AT EATING ASSEMBLED. AT EATING ASSEMBLED
AT THIS EATING ASSEMBLED
AT THIS EATING
AT THIS EATING ASSEMBLED
AT THIS PINOLE ASSEMBLED
AT THIS ACORN SOUP ASSEMBLED
AT THIS ACORN BREAD ASSEMBLED
YOU SAY YES TO ONE ANOTHER
SAY YES TO ONE ANOTHER
THAT IS HOW YOU WILL DO IT
YOU WILL CALL ONE ANOTHER NEPHEW OR NEICE
AT EATING THAT
AT EATING TIME ASSEMBLE
AT THIS PLEASANT EATING ASSEMBLE
AT THIS HEALTHY EATING ASSEMBLE
AT THIS HEATHY EATING ASSEMBLE
AT THIS PLEASANT EATING ASSEMBLE
SAY YES TO ONE ANOTHER EATING
REJOICE AT ONE ANOTHER
REJOICE MATERNAL UNCLE
REJOICE FATHER
REJOICE YOUNGER BROTHER
REJOICE FATHER
AT HIM WHO CAUSES YOU TO EAT
AT HIM WHO GIVES TO YOU
AT HIM WHO GIVES FOOD
WHO GIVES THIS PINOLE
WHO GIVES THIS ACORN BREAD
AT THAT BE GLAD
SO REJOICE
REJOICE FOR YOU
IN THIS WAY EAT! IN THIS WAY EAT! IN THIS WAY EAT!
YOU CHILDREN
YOU GIRLS, YOU YOUTHS
YOU CHILDREN
SO EAT
SO SATISFIED
SATISFIED, REJOICE
SATISFIED SAY REJOICE
SATISFIED SAY YES!
HEAD THIS WORD
HIS WORD HIS TEACHING
HE WHO TEACHES YOU
SO EAT! SO EAT! SO EAT! SO EAT!
WINTU CEREMONY
COME ON, COME ON COME ON
GIRLS COME OUT, YOUTHS COME OUT
CHILDREN COME OUT
AT EATING ASSEMBLED. AT EATING ASSEMBLED
AT THIS EATING ASSEMBLED
AT THIS EATING
AT THIS EATING ASSEMBLED
AT THIS PINOLE ASSEMBLED
AT THIS ACORN SOUP ASSEMBLED
AT THIS ACORN BREAD ASSEMBLED
YOU SAY YES TO ONE ANOTHER
SAY YES TO ONE ANOTHER
THAT IS HOW YOU WILL DO IT
YOU WILL CALL ONE ANOTHER NEPHEW OR NEICE
AT EATING THAT
AT EATING TIME ASSEMBLE
AT THIS PLEASANT EATING ASSEMBLE
AT THIS HEALTHY EATING ASSEMBLE
AT THIS HEATHY EATING ASSEMBLE
AT THIS PLEASANT EATING ASSEMBLE
SAY YES TO ONE ANOTHER EATING
REJOICE AT ONE ANOTHER
REJOICE MATERNAL UNCLE
REJOICE FATHER
REJOICE YOUNGER BROTHER
REJOICE FATHER
AT HIM WHO CAUSES YOU TO EAT
AT HIM WHO GIVES TO YOU
AT HIM WHO GIVES FOOD
WHO GIVES THIS PINOLE
WHO GIVES THIS ACORN BREAD
AT THAT BE GLAD
SO REJOICE
REJOICE FOR YOU
IN THIS WAY EAT! IN THIS WAY EAT! IN THIS WAY EAT!
YOU CHILDREN
YOU GIRLS, YOU YOUTHS
YOU CHILDREN
SO EAT
SO SATISFIED
SATISFIED, REJOICE
SATISFIED SAY REJOICE
SATISFIED SAY YES!
HEAD THIS WORD
HIS WORD HIS TEACHING
HE WHO TEACHES YOU
SO EAT! SO EAT! SO EAT! SO EAT!
WINTU CEREMONY
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
PUBERTY DANCE SONG
THE GIRLS OF THE TRIBES HAD RITUALS AT THEIR FIRST MENSTRUATION WHICH ENDED THEIR CHILDHOOD. THEY HAD VERY TIGHT KNIT FAMILIES. IT WAS AN OCCASSION FOR PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RATHER THAN SECRECY.
A COMING OF AGE FEAST WAS HELD WITH DANCING.
THOU ART A GIRL NO MORE,
THOU ART A GIRL NO MORE,
THE CHIEF, THE CHIEF
THE CHIEF, THE CHEIF,
HONORS THEE
IN THE DANCE, IN THE DANCE,
IN THE LONG AND DOUBLE LINE
OF THE DANCE,
DANCE, DANCE
DANCE, DANCE.
WINTU SONG
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
A COMING OF AGE FEAST WAS HELD WITH DANCING.
THOU ART A GIRL NO MORE,
THOU ART A GIRL NO MORE,
THE CHIEF, THE CHIEF
THE CHIEF, THE CHEIF,
HONORS THEE
IN THE DANCE, IN THE DANCE,
IN THE LONG AND DOUBLE LINE
OF THE DANCE,
DANCE, DANCE
DANCE, DANCE.
WINTU SONG
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
POMO HISTORY AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH THE PIONEERS
THE POMO PEOPLE'S LIVES CHANGED DRAMATICALLY WHEN THE SPANISH CAME TO CALIFORNIA FROM MEXICO. BY THE 1700'S THEY ESTABLISHED NUMEROUS MISSIONS WHERE THEY FORCED THE POMO AND OTHER NATIVES TO WORK AS SLAVES, AND IF THEY TRIED TO RUN AWAY THEY WERE DISCIPLINED SEVERELY.
IN 1822 SPAIN HAD GRANTED MEXICO ITS INDEPENDENCE AND CALIFORNIA WAS CONSIDERED PART OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC. SOME MEXICANS GAVE THEIR PEOPLE LAND GRANTS THROUGHOUT SOUTH AND CENTRAL POMO TERRITORY. THIS EXPANSION WAS BACKED BY RUTHLESS MILTARY ACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE MILITARY BACKED THE MEXICAN EXPANSION HERE. THE POMO WERE CAPTURED AND SOLD AS SLAVES TO DEVELOP MEXICAN RANCHES ON THE TERRITORY THAT HAD BEEN THEIRS. GENERAL VALLEJO WHO OWNED A LARGE RANCH IN PETALUMA (NOW PETALUMA ADOBE STATE PARK) CAPTURED AND USED MANY POMO AND COAST MIWOK SLAVES TO OPERATE HIS RANCH DURING THE 1830'S - 12840'S. SOME OF THE POMO REFUSED TO GO TO HIS RANCH, AND THE MEXICAN TROOPS MASSACRED THE MEN IN THEIR SWEAT HOUSE.
THE POMOS WERE CONTINUOUSLY ATTACKED IN THE MID 1800'S. TWO WHITE MEN WERE KILLED BY THE POMO AND THIS RESULTED IN THE U S CALVERY COMING TO THE POMO TERRITORY AROUND CLEAR LAKE AND MASSACREDING MANY NATIVE TRIBES. THUS ONE ISLAND THERE WAS NAMED BLOODY ISLAND. IN 1856 MANY OF THE INDIANS WERE
IN 1822 SPAIN HAD GRANTED MEXICO ITS INDEPENDENCE AND CALIFORNIA WAS CONSIDERED PART OF THE MEXICAN REPUBLIC. SOME MEXICANS GAVE THEIR PEOPLE LAND GRANTS THROUGHOUT SOUTH AND CENTRAL POMO TERRITORY. THIS EXPANSION WAS BACKED BY RUTHLESS MILTARY ACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE MILITARY BACKED THE MEXICAN EXPANSION HERE. THE POMO WERE CAPTURED AND SOLD AS SLAVES TO DEVELOP MEXICAN RANCHES ON THE TERRITORY THAT HAD BEEN THEIRS. GENERAL VALLEJO WHO OWNED A LARGE RANCH IN PETALUMA (NOW PETALUMA ADOBE STATE PARK) CAPTURED AND USED MANY POMO AND COAST MIWOK SLAVES TO OPERATE HIS RANCH DURING THE 1830'S - 12840'S. SOME OF THE POMO REFUSED TO GO TO HIS RANCH, AND THE MEXICAN TROOPS MASSACRED THE MEN IN THEIR SWEAT HOUSE.
THE POMOS WERE CONTINUOUSLY ATTACKED IN THE MID 1800'S. TWO WHITE MEN WERE KILLED BY THE POMO AND THIS RESULTED IN THE U S CALVERY COMING TO THE POMO TERRITORY AROUND CLEAR LAKE AND MASSACREDING MANY NATIVE TRIBES. THUS ONE ISLAND THERE WAS NAMED BLOODY ISLAND. IN 1856 MANY OF THE INDIANS WERE
QUOTES TO PASS ALONG
I'VE LEARNED THAT EVERY GREAT ACHIEVEMENT WAS ONCE CONSIDERED IMPOSSIBLE.
I'VE LEARNED THAT YOU SHOULDN'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE BEST OTHERS CAN DO, BUT TO THE BEST YOU CAN DO.
I'VE LEARNED THAT YOU CAN'T BE A HERO WITHOUT TAKING CHANCES.
I'VE LEARNED THAT A STRONG CODE OF ETHICS IS AS RELIABLE AS A COMPASS.
I'VE LEARNED THAT IT IS HARD TO ARGUE WITH SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE RIGHT.
I'VE LEARNED THAT TRUST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR
IN BOTH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
I'VE LEARNED THAT UNTOLD TREASURES ARE FOUND IN THE IMAGINATION OF A CHILD.
I'VE LEARNED THAT THE ACHE OF UNFULFILLED DREAMS IS THE WORST PAIN OF ALL.
I'VE LEARNED THAT THE PERSON'S DEGREE OF SELF CONFIDENCE GREATLY DETERMINES HIS SUCCESS.I'VE LEARNED THAT PEOPLE ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE ONLY AS SUCCESSFUL AS THEY THINK THEY DESERVE TO BE.
I'VE LEARNED THAT KINDNESS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PERFECTION.
I'VE LEARNED THAT NOTHIN IS MORE FUN THAN A JOB YOU ENJOY.
I'VE LEARNED THAT WHEN YOU CAN BE EITHER BRILLIANT OR PLEASANT, CHOOSE PLEASANT.
I'VE LEARNED THAT TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDER OF LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD
IS THE MOST REWARDING THING IN THE WORTLD.
H. JACKSON BROWN
I'VE LEARNED THAT YOU SHOULDN'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE BEST OTHERS CAN DO, BUT TO THE BEST YOU CAN DO.
I'VE LEARNED THAT YOU CAN'T BE A HERO WITHOUT TAKING CHANCES.
I'VE LEARNED THAT A STRONG CODE OF ETHICS IS AS RELIABLE AS A COMPASS.
I'VE LEARNED THAT IT IS HARD TO ARGUE WITH SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE RIGHT.
I'VE LEARNED THAT TRUST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR
IN BOTH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
I'VE LEARNED THAT UNTOLD TREASURES ARE FOUND IN THE IMAGINATION OF A CHILD.
I'VE LEARNED THAT THE ACHE OF UNFULFILLED DREAMS IS THE WORST PAIN OF ALL.
I'VE LEARNED THAT THE PERSON'S DEGREE OF SELF CONFIDENCE GREATLY DETERMINES HIS SUCCESS.I'VE LEARNED THAT PEOPLE ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE ONLY AS SUCCESSFUL AS THEY THINK THEY DESERVE TO BE.
I'VE LEARNED THAT KINDNESS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PERFECTION.
I'VE LEARNED THAT NOTHIN IS MORE FUN THAN A JOB YOU ENJOY.
I'VE LEARNED THAT WHEN YOU CAN BE EITHER BRILLIANT OR PLEASANT, CHOOSE PLEASANT.
I'VE LEARNED THAT TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDER OF LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD
IS THE MOST REWARDING THING IN THE WORTLD.
H. JACKSON BROWN
Monday, May 24, 2010
POMO TERRITORY AND GEOGRAPHY
THE POMO LIVE THROUGHOUT A LARGE TERRITORY OF 40 MILES NORTH TO SOUTH AND ABOUT 30 MILES EAST TO WEST, WITH THE CENTER NEAR LAKE SONOMA. THERE ARE SEVEN RANCHERIAS WITHIN THE COUNTIES OF MENDOCINO, SONOMA, AND LAKE. THESE WERE ESTABLISHED AFTER THE EARLY SETTLERS DECIDED TO ACQUIRE LANDS THAT HAD BEEN IN MEXICAN LAND GRANTS AND WERE ORIGINALLY OWNED BY THE POMO AND OTHER TRIBES.
STEWARTS POINT RANCHERIA WAS ONE OF THE OLDEST STARTING IN 1909. THERE ARE ABOUT 5000 POMOS STILL LIVING IN THESE COUNTIES AND THEY HAVE INTERMARRIED WITH OTHER ETHNIC PEOPLE AS WELL AS OTHER NATIVE PEOPLE.
THIS AREA IS TYPICALLY A LAND OF MIXED WOODLANDS, INCLUDING REDWOODS, AND GRASSLANDS FILLED WITH LAKES AND MANY SMALL DRAINAGES AS WELL AS THE PERRENIAL RUSSIAN RIVER. THE HIGHEST PEAKS ARE ABOUYT 6500' AND THEIR TERRITORY IN MENDOCINO COUNTY IS ON THE OCEAN. MANY OF THESE TRIBES TRADED WITH EACH OTHER FOR RESOURCES AND FOR SEEDS AS WELL AS OBSIDIANS, SHELLS, ANIMALS, AND SKINS,ETC. THE AREA RECEIVES ABOUT 40 TO 50 INCHES OF RAIN PRIMARILY BETWEEN THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER AND MARCH. ON THE COAST THE DAYS ARE TYPICALLY FOGGY AND THE DAYS INLAND ARE USUALLY SUNNY WITH SUMMER TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 100 DEGREES. POMOS LIVING AWAY FROM THE COAST FACED FEWER CHALLENGES THAN THOSE WHO LIVED BY THE SEA.
THIS TERRITORY WAS VERY RICH WITH NOT ONLY VEGETATION BUT ALSO WITH MANY DIVERSE FAUNA AND BIRD SPECIES. THE REDWOOD AREA NEAR GUERNEVILLE HAD ONE OF THE DESEST BIOMASSES PER SQUARE YARD IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
THE SOILS VARY THROUGHOUT THIS ARE HOWEVER THE SOILS NEARBY THE RUSSIAN RIVER ARE VERY RICH CONTAINING CLAY, SERPENTINE, AND MAGNESIUM. IT IS EASY TO GROW ALMOST ANY CROP HERE. AND THE NATIVES KNEW MULTIPLE USES OF EACH NATIVE PLANT.
STEWARTS POINT RANCHERIA WAS ONE OF THE OLDEST STARTING IN 1909. THERE ARE ABOUT 5000 POMOS STILL LIVING IN THESE COUNTIES AND THEY HAVE INTERMARRIED WITH OTHER ETHNIC PEOPLE AS WELL AS OTHER NATIVE PEOPLE.
THIS AREA IS TYPICALLY A LAND OF MIXED WOODLANDS, INCLUDING REDWOODS, AND GRASSLANDS FILLED WITH LAKES AND MANY SMALL DRAINAGES AS WELL AS THE PERRENIAL RUSSIAN RIVER. THE HIGHEST PEAKS ARE ABOUYT 6500' AND THEIR TERRITORY IN MENDOCINO COUNTY IS ON THE OCEAN. MANY OF THESE TRIBES TRADED WITH EACH OTHER FOR RESOURCES AND FOR SEEDS AS WELL AS OBSIDIANS, SHELLS, ANIMALS, AND SKINS,ETC. THE AREA RECEIVES ABOUT 40 TO 50 INCHES OF RAIN PRIMARILY BETWEEN THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER AND MARCH. ON THE COAST THE DAYS ARE TYPICALLY FOGGY AND THE DAYS INLAND ARE USUALLY SUNNY WITH SUMMER TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 100 DEGREES. POMOS LIVING AWAY FROM THE COAST FACED FEWER CHALLENGES THAN THOSE WHO LIVED BY THE SEA.
THIS TERRITORY WAS VERY RICH WITH NOT ONLY VEGETATION BUT ALSO WITH MANY DIVERSE FAUNA AND BIRD SPECIES. THE REDWOOD AREA NEAR GUERNEVILLE HAD ONE OF THE DESEST BIOMASSES PER SQUARE YARD IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
THE SOILS VARY THROUGHOUT THIS ARE HOWEVER THE SOILS NEARBY THE RUSSIAN RIVER ARE VERY RICH CONTAINING CLAY, SERPENTINE, AND MAGNESIUM. IT IS EASY TO GROW ALMOST ANY CROP HERE. AND THE NATIVES KNEW MULTIPLE USES OF EACH NATIVE PLANT.
POMO RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL BELIEFS
RELIGION WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF EACH VILLAGE. THEY MADE SENSE OF THEIR WORLD THROUGH RELIGION. THE CHILDREN LEARNED ABOUT THEIR CREATOR THROUGH THE WISDOM OF THEIR ELDERS. THE ELDERS TOLD ABOUT HIS YOUNGER BROTHER - COYOTE - WHO FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE CALIFORNIAN INDIANS. HE WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE CREATOR OF THE FIRST PEOPLE. ONE OF HIS STORIES WAS THAT HE SET FIRE TO THE ENTIRE WORLD. A SPIDER CAME OUT OF THE SKIES AND RESCUED COYOTE AND HIS FAMILY. COYOTE BECAME THIRSTY AND DRANK THE WATER. A POMO HOLY MAN JUMPED ON COYOTE'S STOMACH. WATER POURED OUT OF COYOTE AND COVERED EVERYTHING AS WELL AND PUT OUT THE FIRE.
YOUNG PEOPLE WERE TAUGHT SONGS, DANCES, AND RELIGIOUS STORIES. THERE WERE MANY DIFFERENT CEREMONIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND ADULTS. AND THERE WERE MANY TYPES OF CEREMONIES THAT MARKED DIFFERENT SEASONS AND THE COLLECTION OF CERTAIN PLANTS AND FISHING. SOME CEREMONIES WERE HELD TO BRING THE POMO POWER, HEALTH AND GOOD FORTUNE.
SOME CEREMONIES WERE HELD FOR HEALING WITH BEAR DOCTORS. THE PREHISTORIC POMO HAD CERTAIN SACRED ROCKS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO THEIR RELIGION. IN ADDITION THEY MADE SYMBOLS OF FISH, RAIN, CONCENTRIC CIRCLES AND OTHER SYMBOLS ON STEATITE SCHIST WHICH WERE KNOWN AS ROCK ART SITES. POMO RELIGIOUS LEADERS WORKED AS DOCTORS GIVING SICK PEOPLE HERBS, SANG SONGS, AND DANCED. PEOPLE PAID THEM IN GOODS OR IN BEAD MONEY. RELIGIOUS LEADERS INHERITED THEIR POSITIONS FROM THEIR PARENTS AND THEY HAD A SPECIAL VISION THAT TOLD THEM TO BECOME LEADERS. SOME DOCTORS OR SHAMANS WERE FEARED BECAUSE THEY WERE SAID TO HURT PEOPLE WITH POISONS.
THE POMO SOCIAL STRUCTURE WAS USED IN ORDER TO DIVIDE THE PEOPLE OF A VILLAGE INTO GROUPS AND ASSIGN THEM SPECIAL JOBS. THEIR GROUPS WERE ASSIGNED BASED UPON WHETHER THEY WERE MEN OR WOMEN, THEIR AGE, THEIR WEALTH, AND WHAT THEY HAD ACCOMPLISHED. THE AVERAGE FAMILY HAD ABOUT 14 PEOPLE. SEVERAL EXTENDED FAMILIES WERE WITHIN A SINGLE GROUP THAT WAS HEADED BY THE OLDEST MEMBERS. SOME OF THE JOBS THAT THE PEOPLE HAD IN THE VILLAGE WERE LEADERS, DOCTORS, BEAD MAKERS, OBSIDIAN TOOL MAKERS, HUNTERS, BASKET MAKERS, BOW AND ARROW MAKERS, AND GATHERERS, AS WELL AS TRADERS OF ALL KINDS.
THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE WERE THE CHIEFS AND POLITICAL LEADERS - WHO WERE CHIEFS. THESE FOLKS WERE MEN BEFORE THE 1870'S. AFTER THAT MOST WOMEN BECAME THE LEADERS AND SHAMANS OF THEIR VILLAGE.
YOUNG PEOPLE WERE TAUGHT SONGS, DANCES, AND RELIGIOUS STORIES. THERE WERE MANY DIFFERENT CEREMONIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND ADULTS. AND THERE WERE MANY TYPES OF CEREMONIES THAT MARKED DIFFERENT SEASONS AND THE COLLECTION OF CERTAIN PLANTS AND FISHING. SOME CEREMONIES WERE HELD TO BRING THE POMO POWER, HEALTH AND GOOD FORTUNE.
SOME CEREMONIES WERE HELD FOR HEALING WITH BEAR DOCTORS. THE PREHISTORIC POMO HAD CERTAIN SACRED ROCKS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO THEIR RELIGION. IN ADDITION THEY MADE SYMBOLS OF FISH, RAIN, CONCENTRIC CIRCLES AND OTHER SYMBOLS ON STEATITE SCHIST WHICH WERE KNOWN AS ROCK ART SITES. POMO RELIGIOUS LEADERS WORKED AS DOCTORS GIVING SICK PEOPLE HERBS, SANG SONGS, AND DANCED. PEOPLE PAID THEM IN GOODS OR IN BEAD MONEY. RELIGIOUS LEADERS INHERITED THEIR POSITIONS FROM THEIR PARENTS AND THEY HAD A SPECIAL VISION THAT TOLD THEM TO BECOME LEADERS. SOME DOCTORS OR SHAMANS WERE FEARED BECAUSE THEY WERE SAID TO HURT PEOPLE WITH POISONS.
THE POMO SOCIAL STRUCTURE WAS USED IN ORDER TO DIVIDE THE PEOPLE OF A VILLAGE INTO GROUPS AND ASSIGN THEM SPECIAL JOBS. THEIR GROUPS WERE ASSIGNED BASED UPON WHETHER THEY WERE MEN OR WOMEN, THEIR AGE, THEIR WEALTH, AND WHAT THEY HAD ACCOMPLISHED. THE AVERAGE FAMILY HAD ABOUT 14 PEOPLE. SEVERAL EXTENDED FAMILIES WERE WITHIN A SINGLE GROUP THAT WAS HEADED BY THE OLDEST MEMBERS. SOME OF THE JOBS THAT THE PEOPLE HAD IN THE VILLAGE WERE LEADERS, DOCTORS, BEAD MAKERS, OBSIDIAN TOOL MAKERS, HUNTERS, BASKET MAKERS, BOW AND ARROW MAKERS, AND GATHERERS, AS WELL AS TRADERS OF ALL KINDS.
THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE WERE THE CHIEFS AND POLITICAL LEADERS - WHO WERE CHIEFS. THESE FOLKS WERE MEN BEFORE THE 1870'S. AFTER THAT MOST WOMEN BECAME THE LEADERS AND SHAMANS OF THEIR VILLAGE.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
MY VISIT TO THE SANTA ROSA SYMPHONY
LAST NIGHT I WENT TO A FREE SYMPHONY AT THE WELLS FARGO CENTER. THEY HAD ABOUT 20 VIOLINISTS, 5 CELLOISTS, 15 SINGERS, 2 HARPISTS, 5 BASS PLAYER AND VARIOUS MUSICIANS WHO PLAYED WIND INSTRUMENTS. IT WAS AN ESPECIALLY NICE ARRANGEMENT OF MUSIC AND VOICES. WE ALL HAD A GOOD TIME. THEY PLAYED A SERIES OF VERY MELLOW TUNES AND SOME VERY BOISTROUS TUNES WITH DRUMS AND CYMBOLS. IT KEPT US WELL ENTERTAINED. I SAW AN OLD FRIEND THERE AND WE MET THE PEOPLE WE SAT NEXT TO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONCERT WHICH WAS NICE.
THE CENTER HAS A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM AND I HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE FOR THE CHURCH OF SPIRITUAL LIVING MANY YEARS AGO. THE CROWD HAD MOST PEOPLE OVER 40 YEARS OLD.
THE CENTER HAS A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM AND I HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE FOR THE CHURCH OF SPIRITUAL LIVING MANY YEARS AGO. THE CROWD HAD MOST PEOPLE OVER 40 YEARS OLD.
POMO COOKING
BOTH WOMEN AND MEN COOKED VARIOUS TYPES OF FOODS. THE ACORNS AND BUCKEYES HAD TO BE GROUND INTO FLOUR AND THE FISH AND SHELL FISH WERE OFTEN POUNDED INTO A FLOUR BEFORE THEY WERE COOKED. MANY GREEN PLANTS AND SEEDS WERE EATEN WITHOUT MUCH COOKING. THE TARWEED SEEDS WERE PARCHED IN A FLAT BASKET WITH HOT ROCKS. THEY WERE EXPERTS AT COOKING STEWS IN THEIR TIGHTLY WOVEN BASKETS USING HOT ROCKS. AFTER A FEW HOURS THE STEW WAS READY TO BE EATEN. THEY SALTED AND SMOKED FISH FOR STORING FOR LATER USE OR TRADE. THEY ALSO SMOKED DEER AND OTHER ANIMAL MEATS FOR STORING. ACORNS WERE DRIED AND STORED IN BASKETS.
ACORN BREAD WAS COOKED BY PUTTING WATER IN THE PROCESSED ACORN MEAL AND WRAPPED WITH SOAPROOT LEAVES. THE BREAD WAS BAKED IN AN UNDERGROUND OVEN LINED WITH HOT ROCKS AND COVERED WITH HOT ROCKS. IT KEPT FOR 2 MONTHS AND WAS TAKEN ON LONG JOURNEYS.
ACORN BREAD WAS COOKED BY PUTTING WATER IN THE PROCESSED ACORN MEAL AND WRAPPED WITH SOAPROOT LEAVES. THE BREAD WAS BAKED IN AN UNDERGROUND OVEN LINED WITH HOT ROCKS AND COVERED WITH HOT ROCKS. IT KEPT FOR 2 MONTHS AND WAS TAKEN ON LONG JOURNEYS.
POMO FAMILY LIFE
THE POMO HAD CLOSE KNIT FAMILY UNITS AND LIVED IN MULTI-FAMILY HOIUSES. SOME POMO MARRIAGES WERE ARRANGED BY THEIR PARENTS AND IN OTHER VILLAGES THE PARENTS HAD A SAY ABOUT WHO THEIR CHILD MARRIED. IF THEY SELECTED SOMEONE THAT THE PARENT DISLIKED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO MARRY THEM.
AFTER A MARRIAGE THE GROOM MOVED INTO THE BRIDE'S HOME FOR AWHILE. GIFTS WERE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE FAMILIES. ACORN SOUP WAS OFFERRED AS A GIFT, RABBIT FURS AND BLANKETS AS WELL AS BASKETS AND VALUABLE CLAM SHELL BEADS. THE YOUNG COUPLE THEN MOVED TO THE GROOM'S HOUSE FOR AWHILE. THEY MIGHT MOVE FROM ONE FAMILY'S HOUSE TO ANOTHER.
ONCE THE BRIDE HAD CONCEIVED A CHILD THE COUPLE STAYED WITH THE WIFE'S FAMILY UNTIL IT'S BIRTH. WHILE PREGNANT SHE HAD SPECIAL RULES TO FOLLOW - CERTAIN FOODS COULD BE EATEN, WHERE SHE TRAVELLED WAS RESTRICTED, AND SHE HAD WORK RESTRICTIONS. THERE WAS A SPECIAL STRUCTURE BUILT FOR THE MOM AND HER BABY WHERE SHE STAYED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE FATHER'S MOTHER OR SISTER WOULD VISIT THE HOUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BABY AND HELP CARE FOR IT. ONCE THE CHILD TURNED ONE IT WAS NAMED FOR A DEAD RELATIVE.
GRANDPARENTS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN A YOUNG PERSON'S UPBRINGING. THEY STAYED CLOSE TO HOME AND TENDED THE FIRE AND HELPED TO TEACH CHILDREN THEIR TRIBE'S RULES AND SPECIAL WAYS. THEY HELPED THE PARENTS TO HUNT, FISH, GATHER ROOTS AND TUBERS AND TO PREPARE FOOD. SOME OF THE OLDER MEN WERE SHAMANS BEFORE THE 1870'S. AFTER THAT TIME MOST POMO SHAMANS WERE WOMEN AND HELD HIGH STATUS.
THE CHILDREN LEARNED HOW TO HUNT, FISH, MAKE BASKETS, MANAGE AND TEND THEIR SPECIAL SEEDS AND TUBERS, AND PREPARE FOOD.
SPECIAL CUSTOMS WERE OBSERVED AT DEATH. A DYING PERSON WAS SURROUNDED BY THEIR LOVED ONES WHO DISPLAYED THEIR GRIEF. THE BODY REMAINED IN THE HOUSE FOR FOUR DAYS. IT WAS BURNED ALONG WITH GIFTS AND SOME BASKETS AND ANY OTHER POSSESSIONS. THEIR ENTIRE HOUSE MAY HAVE BEEN BURNED AS WELL. AND AYEAR LATER MORE GIFTS WERE BURNED AS AN OFFERINGTO THE DEAD.
AFTER A MARRIAGE THE GROOM MOVED INTO THE BRIDE'S HOME FOR AWHILE. GIFTS WERE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE FAMILIES. ACORN SOUP WAS OFFERRED AS A GIFT, RABBIT FURS AND BLANKETS AS WELL AS BASKETS AND VALUABLE CLAM SHELL BEADS. THE YOUNG COUPLE THEN MOVED TO THE GROOM'S HOUSE FOR AWHILE. THEY MIGHT MOVE FROM ONE FAMILY'S HOUSE TO ANOTHER.
ONCE THE BRIDE HAD CONCEIVED A CHILD THE COUPLE STAYED WITH THE WIFE'S FAMILY UNTIL IT'S BIRTH. WHILE PREGNANT SHE HAD SPECIAL RULES TO FOLLOW - CERTAIN FOODS COULD BE EATEN, WHERE SHE TRAVELLED WAS RESTRICTED, AND SHE HAD WORK RESTRICTIONS. THERE WAS A SPECIAL STRUCTURE BUILT FOR THE MOM AND HER BABY WHERE SHE STAYED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE FATHER'S MOTHER OR SISTER WOULD VISIT THE HOUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BABY AND HELP CARE FOR IT. ONCE THE CHILD TURNED ONE IT WAS NAMED FOR A DEAD RELATIVE.
GRANDPARENTS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN A YOUNG PERSON'S UPBRINGING. THEY STAYED CLOSE TO HOME AND TENDED THE FIRE AND HELPED TO TEACH CHILDREN THEIR TRIBE'S RULES AND SPECIAL WAYS. THEY HELPED THE PARENTS TO HUNT, FISH, GATHER ROOTS AND TUBERS AND TO PREPARE FOOD. SOME OF THE OLDER MEN WERE SHAMANS BEFORE THE 1870'S. AFTER THAT TIME MOST POMO SHAMANS WERE WOMEN AND HELD HIGH STATUS.
THE CHILDREN LEARNED HOW TO HUNT, FISH, MAKE BASKETS, MANAGE AND TEND THEIR SPECIAL SEEDS AND TUBERS, AND PREPARE FOOD.
SPECIAL CUSTOMS WERE OBSERVED AT DEATH. A DYING PERSON WAS SURROUNDED BY THEIR LOVED ONES WHO DISPLAYED THEIR GRIEF. THE BODY REMAINED IN THE HOUSE FOR FOUR DAYS. IT WAS BURNED ALONG WITH GIFTS AND SOME BASKETS AND ANY OTHER POSSESSIONS. THEIR ENTIRE HOUSE MAY HAVE BEEN BURNED AS WELL. AND AYEAR LATER MORE GIFTS WERE BURNED AS AN OFFERINGTO THE DEAD.
POMO SWEAT LODGES
ALL POMO VILLAGES CONSTRUCTED AN EARTH COVERED SWEAT LODGE WHERE BOTH WOMEN AND MEN WERE ABLE TO SWEAT DAILY. IT WAS A SMALL CIRCULAR STRUCTURE PARTIALLY UNDERGROUND AND MDE WITH WILLOW POLES AND BRANCHES. THESE WERE COVERED WITH TULE AND THEN SOIL WAS PACKED DOWN ON IT. THE SWEAT DOOR FACED SOUTH. SWEATING GAVE P[EOPLE A FEELING OF WELL BEING AND PURIFIED THEM FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES. THEY BUILT A FIRE IN THE CENTER OF THE SWEAT HOUSE AND PRODUCED STEAM BY POURING WATER OVER HOT STONES.
AT TIMES AFTER SWEATING THEY JUMPED INTO NEARBY STREAMS TO COOL DOWN AND WENT BACK INTO THE SWEAT HOUSE AGAIN. THIS RESULTED IN AWAY TO CLEANSE THEIR BODIES AND FEEL GOOD.
EVEN TRIBES IN THE SOUTHWEST HAD SWEAT HOUSES NEARBY THEIR DRAINAGES OR RIVERS.
AT TIMES AFTER SWEATING THEY JUMPED INTO NEARBY STREAMS TO COOL DOWN AND WENT BACK INTO THE SWEAT HOUSE AGAIN. THIS RESULTED IN AWAY TO CLEANSE THEIR BODIES AND FEEL GOOD.
EVEN TRIBES IN THE SOUTHWEST HAD SWEAT HOUSES NEARBY THEIR DRAINAGES OR RIVERS.
Friday, May 21, 2010
MY VISIT TO JACK LONDON STATE PARK
A FEW WEEKS AGO I VISITED JACK LONDON STATE PARK. IT WAS A RELATIVELY COOL DAY AND I BROUGHT MY BACKPACK SO I COULD HIKE TO THE UPPER LAKE WHERE LONDON USED TO SWIM AND ENTERTAIN HIS GUESTS, AS WELL AS TO THE WOLF HOUSE. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THE PARK HAD A LIVING HISTORY DAY THAT DAY. I HADN'T BEEN TO THE PARK IN ABOUT 3 YEARS AND THEY HAD LONDON'S COTTAGE ALL FIXED UP WITH BEDS, DRESSERS, PICTURES, AND UTENSILS, AS WELL AS BOOKS AND HISTORIC TYPEWRITERS. IT IS VERY WELL FURNISHED AND THE INFORMATION IS EASY TO READ.
THEY HAD A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES GOING ON THERE THAT DAY. ONE MAN WAS GIVING KIDS AND ADULTS WAGON RIDES PULLED BY TWO LARGE HORSES. AND THEY HAD ONE MAN SHOEING A LARGE STALLION. A WELDER MAKING HORSESHOES, AND A COUPLE OF SMALL ENGINES THAT OPERATED PUMPS OF SOME SORT. THERE WAS A WOMAN SPINNING WOOL. OTHER PEOPLE HAD FOOD BOOTHS. AND ONE MAN WAS PLOWING THE FIELD WITH TWO HORSES AND AN OLD FASHIONED PLOW WHICH SEEMED TO WORK WELL. THERE WERE PROBABLY ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE AT THE TIME I WAS THERE AND VERY FEW CAME TO THE WOLF HOUSE - MOST PEOPLE WERE OCCUPIED BY THE HISTORIC ACTIVITIES NEAR THE COTTAGE AND LARGE BARN.
I SWEATED A BIT HIKING UP TO THE LAKE AS WELL AS HIKING TO JACK LONDON'S WOLF HOUSE. IT WAS A GOOD DAY VIEWING THE VALLEY OF THE MOON AS THEIR WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC. RELATIVELY
THEY HAD A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES GOING ON THERE THAT DAY. ONE MAN WAS GIVING KIDS AND ADULTS WAGON RIDES PULLED BY TWO LARGE HORSES. AND THEY HAD ONE MAN SHOEING A LARGE STALLION. A WELDER MAKING HORSESHOES, AND A COUPLE OF SMALL ENGINES THAT OPERATED PUMPS OF SOME SORT. THERE WAS A WOMAN SPINNING WOOL. OTHER PEOPLE HAD FOOD BOOTHS. AND ONE MAN WAS PLOWING THE FIELD WITH TWO HORSES AND AN OLD FASHIONED PLOW WHICH SEEMED TO WORK WELL. THERE WERE PROBABLY ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE AT THE TIME I WAS THERE AND VERY FEW CAME TO THE WOLF HOUSE - MOST PEOPLE WERE OCCUPIED BY THE HISTORIC ACTIVITIES NEAR THE COTTAGE AND LARGE BARN.
I SWEATED A BIT HIKING UP TO THE LAKE AS WELL AS HIKING TO JACK LONDON'S WOLF HOUSE. IT WAS A GOOD DAY VIEWING THE VALLEY OF THE MOON AS THEIR WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC. RELATIVELY
POMO GAMES
MOST NATIVE TRIBES HAD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GAMES THAT THEY PLAYED. THEY PLAYED GAMES WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS AS WELL AS WITH THE ENTIRE TRIBE. ONE GAME THAT WAS PLAYED BY TWO WOMEN WAS THE ELDERBERRY STICK GAME. THE STICKS WERE BURNT TO MAKE A DESIGN ON ONE SIDE OF THEM. THESE STAVES WERE DECORATED WITH GEOMETRIC DESIGNS.
THE WOMEN TOSS 6 STAVES TO THE GROUND AND THEY GET SCORES BASED UPON BASED UPON WHICH STAVES SHOWED A DESIGN AS THEY TOSSED THEM TO THE GROUND. THEY CONTINUE TO PLAY THIS GAME AS LONG AS THEY WISH. ELDERBERRY STICKS WERE ALSO USED FOR THEIR FLUTES WHICH NOT ONLY MADE MUSIC BUT LURED GAME TO THEIR VILLAGES.
ANOTHER GAME WAS THE GRASS GAME WHICH WAS A GUESSING GAME. FOUR PLAYERS USE AND MAKE 2 PAIRS OF SHORT BONES ABOUT AS THICK AS A FINGER AND WRAP IT WITH SINEW. THERE ARE TWO PLAYERS ON EACH SIDE AND THEY HIDE THE BONES AND BET ON FINDING THEM. THE PLAYERS HIDE THE BONES IN GRASSES OR UNDER A BLANKET. THEY SING A GAMBLING SONG FOR GOOD LUCK AND TO CONFUSE THEIR OPPONENTS.
WHEN THE PLAYERS ARE READY TO FIND THE BOXES THEY SPIN THEIR HANDS IN FRONT OF THEIR CHEST. IF THE GUESS IS INCORRECT THEY RETAIN THE BONES FOR THE NEXT ROUND. IF THEY GUESS WHERE BOTH BONES ARE THE GUESSERS RECEIVE TWO COUNTERS AND THEY HAVE THE NEXT PLAY. IF NOT, THE SAME PLAYER HIDES THE BONES AGAIN. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ONE TEAM HAS WON ALL THE COUNTING STICKS.
WOMEN'S DICE GAME - I HAVE SEEN THIS GAME PLAYED AT ANDERSON MARSH STATE PARK. IT IS PLAYED BY THE POMO, YOKUTS, AND MIWOK TRIBES. THEY PLAYED A DICE GAME FROM ACORN CAPS OR FROM SPLITTING A BLACK WALNUT IN HALF AND FILLING IT WITH PITCH AND SMALL BITS OF ABALONE SHELL. THE DICE WERE NUMBERED FROM 1-8 AND THROWN UPON A MAT. FOUR COMBINATIONS WERE RECOGNIZED IN SCORING. VARIOUS POINTS WERE ASSIGNED BASED UPON IF THE DICE LANDED WITH THEIR FLAT SIDE UP OR DOWN. THE GAME WAS PLAYED BY TWO WOMEN AND COULD CONTINUE FOR UP TO TWO DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY.
THE WOMEN TOSS 6 STAVES TO THE GROUND AND THEY GET SCORES BASED UPON BASED UPON WHICH STAVES SHOWED A DESIGN AS THEY TOSSED THEM TO THE GROUND. THEY CONTINUE TO PLAY THIS GAME AS LONG AS THEY WISH. ELDERBERRY STICKS WERE ALSO USED FOR THEIR FLUTES WHICH NOT ONLY MADE MUSIC BUT LURED GAME TO THEIR VILLAGES.
ANOTHER GAME WAS THE GRASS GAME WHICH WAS A GUESSING GAME. FOUR PLAYERS USE AND MAKE 2 PAIRS OF SHORT BONES ABOUT AS THICK AS A FINGER AND WRAP IT WITH SINEW. THERE ARE TWO PLAYERS ON EACH SIDE AND THEY HIDE THE BONES AND BET ON FINDING THEM. THE PLAYERS HIDE THE BONES IN GRASSES OR UNDER A BLANKET. THEY SING A GAMBLING SONG FOR GOOD LUCK AND TO CONFUSE THEIR OPPONENTS.
WHEN THE PLAYERS ARE READY TO FIND THE BOXES THEY SPIN THEIR HANDS IN FRONT OF THEIR CHEST. IF THE GUESS IS INCORRECT THEY RETAIN THE BONES FOR THE NEXT ROUND. IF THEY GUESS WHERE BOTH BONES ARE THE GUESSERS RECEIVE TWO COUNTERS AND THEY HAVE THE NEXT PLAY. IF NOT, THE SAME PLAYER HIDES THE BONES AGAIN. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ONE TEAM HAS WON ALL THE COUNTING STICKS.
WOMEN'S DICE GAME - I HAVE SEEN THIS GAME PLAYED AT ANDERSON MARSH STATE PARK. IT IS PLAYED BY THE POMO, YOKUTS, AND MIWOK TRIBES. THEY PLAYED A DICE GAME FROM ACORN CAPS OR FROM SPLITTING A BLACK WALNUT IN HALF AND FILLING IT WITH PITCH AND SMALL BITS OF ABALONE SHELL. THE DICE WERE NUMBERED FROM 1-8 AND THROWN UPON A MAT. FOUR COMBINATIONS WERE RECOGNIZED IN SCORING. VARIOUS POINTS WERE ASSIGNED BASED UPON IF THE DICE LANDED WITH THEIR FLAT SIDE UP OR DOWN. THE GAME WAS PLAYED BY TWO WOMEN AND COULD CONTINUE FOR UP TO TWO DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
CHANGING THE DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
THE CALIFORNIAN INDIANS INTRODUCED DIFFERENT NATIVE SPECIES TO DIFFERENT AREAS THROUGH TRADE. SOME WERE TRANSPLANTED AND OTHERS WERE SEWN BY SEED AND OTHER SEEDS WERE TRADED TO NEW AREAS BY DIFFERENT TRIBES AND CARED FOR BY DIFFERENT TRIBES.
SINCE NATIVE AMERICANS TRANSPLANTED AND TRADED MANY DIFFERENT SEEDS AND TUBERS, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR BOTANISTS AND AUTHORS OF FLORA AND FAUNA TO DISTINQUISH HUMAN FLORAL DISTRIBUTION VS. NATURAL PLANT AND ANIMAL CULTIVATION.
AN ETHNOBOTANIST IN 1914 DETERMINED THAT THE NATIVES HAD CHANGED THE PLANTS WITHIN A SPECIAL REGION. ANOTHER RESEARCHER HAD POINTED OUT THAT THE LOCATION AND OUTLINES OF VARIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WERE DETERMINED BY VARIOUS PLANTS GROWING AROUND AND ON THE SITES. PREHISTORICALLY PEOPLE ALTERED PLANTS AS WAS DISCOVERED BY ETHNOBOTANISTS.
THERE ARE MANY TRADITIONAL GATHERING SITES THAT HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORDS IN VARIOUS ELEVATIONS DEPENDING UPON WHERE PLANT SPECIES ARE LOCATED. EVEN ANIMAL POPULATIONS WERE TRADED BY VARIOUS TRIBES. KAT ANDERSON NOTES THAT THE PREHISTORIC INDIANS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING ISLAND FOXESIN THE NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDS. OTHER ANIMALS WERE TRANSPORTED TO DIFFERENT ISLANDS IN PREHISTORIC TIMES.
HISTORIC SITES ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PLANT TYPES AS WELL. AROUND THE WORLD THERE ARE MANY ACCOUNTS OF SACRED AND EDIBLE PLANTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPANISH AND MEXICAN AS WELL AS ANGLO SITES.
KAT ANDERSON
SINCE NATIVE AMERICANS TRANSPLANTED AND TRADED MANY DIFFERENT SEEDS AND TUBERS, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR BOTANISTS AND AUTHORS OF FLORA AND FAUNA TO DISTINQUISH HUMAN FLORAL DISTRIBUTION VS. NATURAL PLANT AND ANIMAL CULTIVATION.
AN ETHNOBOTANIST IN 1914 DETERMINED THAT THE NATIVES HAD CHANGED THE PLANTS WITHIN A SPECIAL REGION. ANOTHER RESEARCHER HAD POINTED OUT THAT THE LOCATION AND OUTLINES OF VARIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WERE DETERMINED BY VARIOUS PLANTS GROWING AROUND AND ON THE SITES. PREHISTORICALLY PEOPLE ALTERED PLANTS AS WAS DISCOVERED BY ETHNOBOTANISTS.
THERE ARE MANY TRADITIONAL GATHERING SITES THAT HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORDS IN VARIOUS ELEVATIONS DEPENDING UPON WHERE PLANT SPECIES ARE LOCATED. EVEN ANIMAL POPULATIONS WERE TRADED BY VARIOUS TRIBES. KAT ANDERSON NOTES THAT THE PREHISTORIC INDIANS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING ISLAND FOXESIN THE NORTHERN CHANNEL ISLANDS. OTHER ANIMALS WERE TRANSPORTED TO DIFFERENT ISLANDS IN PREHISTORIC TIMES.
HISTORIC SITES ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT PLANT TYPES AS WELL. AROUND THE WORLD THERE ARE MANY ACCOUNTS OF SACRED AND EDIBLE PLANTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPANISH AND MEXICAN AS WELL AS ANGLO SITES.
KAT ANDERSON
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
OLD TIME SHAMANS
GREG SARRIS WROTE IN "WEAVING A DREAM" THAT IN THE LATE 1800'S THE SHAMANS USED TO EXPEL EVILS FROM PEOPLE BY SUCKING OUT WORMS FROM WITHIN PEOPLE'S STOMACHS. A VERY INTERESTING TYPE OF HEALING IN OLD TIMES. IT WAS SAID THAT THE SHAMANS WERE CAPABLE OF HEALING MOST ANY SICKNESS. IF SOMEONE HAD AN ILLNESS THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAL, THEY CARRIED THE PERSON TO THE HEALING SPRINGS OF CALISTOGA WHERE THEY WERE BATHED. THIS USUALLY TOOK CARE OF THEIR ILLNESS.
MANY OF THE OLDER WOMEN WORKED AS SHAMANS AND THEY KNEW HOW TO USE ANGELICA AND LOMATIUM ROOTS FOR HEALING OTHERS OF COLDS, FLUS, AND SNAKE BITES.
ALMOST EVERY SHAMAN KNEW HOW TO USE THE THOUSANDS OF PLANTS FOR FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICINES.
MANY OF THE OLDER WOMEN WORKED AS SHAMANS AND THEY KNEW HOW TO USE ANGELICA AND LOMATIUM ROOTS FOR HEALING OTHERS OF COLDS, FLUS, AND SNAKE BITES.
ALMOST EVERY SHAMAN KNEW HOW TO USE THE THOUSANDS OF PLANTS FOR FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICINES.
NATIVE AMERICAN BELIEFS ABOUT LIVING WITH NATURE
HERE IN THE US THE NATIVE AMERICANS BELIEVED THAT USING NATURAL FOODS FROM THE EARTH AND CATCHING FISH AND HUNTING WILD ANIMALS AND BIRDS GAVE THEM A CREATURE FEELING THAT MADE THEM CLOSER TO NATURE. TODAY MANY TRIBES BUY THEIR FOOD IN SUPERMARKETS AND THEY HAVE LOST A CONNECTION TO THEIR HOMELAND. HOWEVER MANY TRIBES STILL TEACH THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN HUMANS, ANIMALS, PLANTS AND THEIR LAND. IT IS INGRAINED IN THEM FROM BIRTH.
MANY TRIBES STILL RELY SOLELY UPON THE LAND TO FEED THEIR MEMBERS AS WELL AS TO LIVE. THE WAY TRIBES COLLECT THEIR FOODS AND HUNT IS PART OF THEIR VALUES AND KNOWLEDGE. THE KIDS LEARN HOW TO MAKE BASKETS, POTTERY, AND FISHING ARTIFACTS - THIS BECOMES PART OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AS A PERSON.
THE POMOS COLLECTED THEIR REEDS AND TENDED THEIR GARDENS AS WELL AS PLANTED SOME TUBERS NEAR THEIR VILLAGES. THEY USED A LOT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO COLLECT THEIR REEDS AS WELL TO HUNT. THEY KEPT THEIR OLDER MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SHARING AND PROVIDING FOR EACH OTHER GAVE THEM A SPIRITUAL FEELING AS WELL. THEY MADE SURE THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TO REEP.
UNKNOWN WRITER
MANY TRIBES STILL RELY SOLELY UPON THE LAND TO FEED THEIR MEMBERS AS WELL AS TO LIVE. THE WAY TRIBES COLLECT THEIR FOODS AND HUNT IS PART OF THEIR VALUES AND KNOWLEDGE. THE KIDS LEARN HOW TO MAKE BASKETS, POTTERY, AND FISHING ARTIFACTS - THIS BECOMES PART OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AS A PERSON.
THE POMOS COLLECTED THEIR REEDS AND TENDED THEIR GARDENS AS WELL AS PLANTED SOME TUBERS NEAR THEIR VILLAGES. THEY USED A LOT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO COLLECT THEIR REEDS AS WELL TO HUNT. THEY KEPT THEIR OLDER MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SHARING AND PROVIDING FOR EACH OTHER GAVE THEM A SPIRITUAL FEELING AS WELL. THEY MADE SURE THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TO REEP.
UNKNOWN WRITER
Monday, May 10, 2010
INDIAN CULTIVATION OF FIBERS AND PLANTS FOR BASKETRY
THE NATIVES BURNED UNDERSTORY FIRES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CERTAIN TREES AND SEDGES FOR THEIR BASKETS AS WELL AS REDUCE LARGE FIRES FROM OCCURRING. IT ALSO KILLED OFF THE INSECTS THAT COULD BRING DISEASE TO THE VILLAGE TREES.
IN KAT ANDERSON'S BOOK SHE EXPLAINS THAT ONE PERSON WOULD BURN ONE PLANT AT A TIME - DEERGRASS SO THAT YOU GET MORE BUDS IN THE SPRING AND YOU GET MORE PLANTS TOO. THESE GRASSES WERE USED FOR MOMO INDIAN BASKETS. THE POMO SET ANNUAL UNDERSTORY FIRES NEAR THEIR VILLAGES TO HAVE THE TREES GROW STRAIGHTER SHOOTS AND REMOVE DUFF AND BROKEN LIMBS. IT ALSO ASSISTED IN HUNTING DEER AS THE TRAILS WERE CEARER.
THERE WERE A WIDE VARIETY OF INDIAN BASKETS IN A VILLAGE. THESE INCLUDED BASKETS FOR COLLECTING TARWEED SEEDS, 1 INCH GIFT BASKETS, AND 5 FOOT SALMON STORAGE BASKETS. BASKETS STORED BULBS, CARRIED SEEDS OR PODS, STORED BULBS, HAULED DIRT, HELD ACORN MUSH, CARRIED GRASSHOPPERS AND BIRDS. THEY ALSO MADE CONE SHAPED BASKETSTO HAUL FIREWOOD, FANSHAPED BASKETS FOR FANNING FIRES. THEIR BOATS WERE MADE OUT OF TULE AND WERE TWINED TO CARRY PEOPLE DOWN THE RIVERS. SOME BASKETS CAUGHT BIRDS AND CAPTURED FISH. THEIR WERE BASKETS THAT HELD CREMATED REMAINS.
INDIAN KITCHENS CONTAINED BASKETRY POTS, PANS, AND SERVING DISHES, PARCHED AND WINNOWED SEEDS, ACORN SOUP, AND MANZANITA CIDER. OTHER BASKETS INCLUDED BOAT SHAPED BOWLS AND OVAL TRAYS FOR SERVING FOODS AND BASKETRY DISHES. OTHERS WERE MADE FOR SIFTING FLOURS AND CLEANING SEAWEED. CEREMONIAL BASKETS OF THE POMO WERE WOVEN WITH BIRD FEATHERS AND SOME WERE PASSED TO THE YOUNGER FAMILY MEMBERS WHILE ORTHERS WERE BURNED DURING CREMATIONS.
BASKETRY WAS A SELF EXPRESSION OF THE WEAVER AND IN CALIFORNIA THEY USSUALLY DID NOT PLAN IT. THE FAMILY HOUSES OR WICKIUPS WERE AN UPSIDE DOWN BASKETS WOVEN OF WILLOW STICKS AND WATER REPELLANT TULE. THESE WERE REBUILT USUALLY EVERY YEAR AFTER THE STORMS PASSED. THERE WERE ALSO MENSTRUAL HUTS WHERE WOMEN STAYED DURING THEIR MENSES, AND THERE WERE LODGES MADE OF WILLOW AND TULE THAT WERE ABOUT 100 FEET LONG BY 20 OR SO FEET WIDE. EACH PERSON HAD THEIR OWN STYLE OF BASKETMAKING AND IN MOST VILLAGES PEOPLE COULD DISTINGUISH WHO MADE WEHICH BASKET BY ITS SUBTLE STYLE.
BASKETS WERE GIVEN AS SPECIAL GIFTS DURING A CHILD'S BIRTH, INITIATION CEREMONIES, MARRIAGE AND PERHAPS BIRTHDAYS. KROEBER NOTED THE BASKET AS THE MOST DEVELOPED ART OF THE NATIVES. BASKET DESIGNS WERE MADE IN MOST TRIBES TO INCLUDE A DUA OR A PURPOSEFUL MISTAKE OR OPENING IN THE DESIGN SO THAT THE SPIRIT COULD ESCAPE. MANY BASKETS HAD MYTHOLOGICAL SYMBOLS THAT I DESCRIBE IN MY HIKES AND LECTURES. ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE DISCOVERED BASKETRY FRAGMENTS DATING TO 10,000 YEARS AGO.
IT IS AN ANCIENT PRACTICE THAT THE NATIVES INTRODUCED LONG STRAIGHT SHOOTS OF CERTAIN PLANTS THEY USED FOR THEIR BASKETS. THEIR IS EVIDENCE THAT THE PRUNING, TENDING, CUTTING, BURNING AND REPLANTING OF SHOOTS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE ANGLO SETTLERS ARRIVED.
KAT ANDERSON
IN KAT ANDERSON'S BOOK SHE EXPLAINS THAT ONE PERSON WOULD BURN ONE PLANT AT A TIME - DEERGRASS SO THAT YOU GET MORE BUDS IN THE SPRING AND YOU GET MORE PLANTS TOO. THESE GRASSES WERE USED FOR MOMO INDIAN BASKETS. THE POMO SET ANNUAL UNDERSTORY FIRES NEAR THEIR VILLAGES TO HAVE THE TREES GROW STRAIGHTER SHOOTS AND REMOVE DUFF AND BROKEN LIMBS. IT ALSO ASSISTED IN HUNTING DEER AS THE TRAILS WERE CEARER.
THERE WERE A WIDE VARIETY OF INDIAN BASKETS IN A VILLAGE. THESE INCLUDED BASKETS FOR COLLECTING TARWEED SEEDS, 1 INCH GIFT BASKETS, AND 5 FOOT SALMON STORAGE BASKETS. BASKETS STORED BULBS, CARRIED SEEDS OR PODS, STORED BULBS, HAULED DIRT, HELD ACORN MUSH, CARRIED GRASSHOPPERS AND BIRDS. THEY ALSO MADE CONE SHAPED BASKETSTO HAUL FIREWOOD, FANSHAPED BASKETS FOR FANNING FIRES. THEIR BOATS WERE MADE OUT OF TULE AND WERE TWINED TO CARRY PEOPLE DOWN THE RIVERS. SOME BASKETS CAUGHT BIRDS AND CAPTURED FISH. THEIR WERE BASKETS THAT HELD CREMATED REMAINS.
INDIAN KITCHENS CONTAINED BASKETRY POTS, PANS, AND SERVING DISHES, PARCHED AND WINNOWED SEEDS, ACORN SOUP, AND MANZANITA CIDER. OTHER BASKETS INCLUDED BOAT SHAPED BOWLS AND OVAL TRAYS FOR SERVING FOODS AND BASKETRY DISHES. OTHERS WERE MADE FOR SIFTING FLOURS AND CLEANING SEAWEED. CEREMONIAL BASKETS OF THE POMO WERE WOVEN WITH BIRD FEATHERS AND SOME WERE PASSED TO THE YOUNGER FAMILY MEMBERS WHILE ORTHERS WERE BURNED DURING CREMATIONS.
BASKETRY WAS A SELF EXPRESSION OF THE WEAVER AND IN CALIFORNIA THEY USSUALLY DID NOT PLAN IT. THE FAMILY HOUSES OR WICKIUPS WERE AN UPSIDE DOWN BASKETS WOVEN OF WILLOW STICKS AND WATER REPELLANT TULE. THESE WERE REBUILT USUALLY EVERY YEAR AFTER THE STORMS PASSED. THERE WERE ALSO MENSTRUAL HUTS WHERE WOMEN STAYED DURING THEIR MENSES, AND THERE WERE LODGES MADE OF WILLOW AND TULE THAT WERE ABOUT 100 FEET LONG BY 20 OR SO FEET WIDE. EACH PERSON HAD THEIR OWN STYLE OF BASKETMAKING AND IN MOST VILLAGES PEOPLE COULD DISTINGUISH WHO MADE WEHICH BASKET BY ITS SUBTLE STYLE.
BASKETS WERE GIVEN AS SPECIAL GIFTS DURING A CHILD'S BIRTH, INITIATION CEREMONIES, MARRIAGE AND PERHAPS BIRTHDAYS. KROEBER NOTED THE BASKET AS THE MOST DEVELOPED ART OF THE NATIVES. BASKET DESIGNS WERE MADE IN MOST TRIBES TO INCLUDE A DUA OR A PURPOSEFUL MISTAKE OR OPENING IN THE DESIGN SO THAT THE SPIRIT COULD ESCAPE. MANY BASKETS HAD MYTHOLOGICAL SYMBOLS THAT I DESCRIBE IN MY HIKES AND LECTURES. ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE DISCOVERED BASKETRY FRAGMENTS DATING TO 10,000 YEARS AGO.
IT IS AN ANCIENT PRACTICE THAT THE NATIVES INTRODUCED LONG STRAIGHT SHOOTS OF CERTAIN PLANTS THEY USED FOR THEIR BASKETS. THEIR IS EVIDENCE THAT THE PRUNING, TENDING, CUTTING, BURNING AND REPLANTING OF SHOOTS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE ANGLO SETTLERS ARRIVED.
KAT ANDERSON
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY
FIFTY THOUSAND YEARS AGO BEFORE THE COMING OF THE ANGLOS TO THE NORTH COAST RANGES, THEIR WERE ABOUT 30 DIFFERENT LINGUISTIC TRIBLETS OF THE POMO. THEIR ARTS WERE HIGHLY DEVELOPED AND THEY BECAME WORLD FAMOUS BECAUSE OF THEIR BASKET MAKING.
THE WOMEN COLLECTED PRIMARILY THREE DIFFERENT REEDS AND ROOTS - BLACK WILLOW, SEDGE ROOT, AND REDBUD SHOOTS FOR BOTH COILED AND TWINED BASKETS. THE REDBUD PRIMARILY COMES FROM CLEAR LAKE. OTHER PLANTS USED FOR POMO BASKETS INCLUDE MAIDEN HAIR FERN, BULRUSH SHOOTS, AND BRACKEN FERN. THEY CONSIDERED THE BASKET A LIVING THING AND IT WAS THEIR SPIRITUAL ART. MEN ALSO MADE TWINED BABY BASKETS FROM WILLOW SHOOTS.
THE FAMILY WAS THE SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH POMO LIFE WAS BASED. IT WAS KNOWN THAT A MAN NEEDED TO HAVE A FAMILY SO HE WOULD HAVE A RICH LIFE. OTHERWISE HE WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE IMPORTANT. THERE WERE 20,000 POMO HERE BEFORE THE ANGLOS SETTLED IN. CEREMONIAL LIFE WAS IMMEASURABLY RICH WITH SECRET SOCIETIES, SHAMANS, FESTIVALS, AND ELABORATE DANCES. ONCE A FAMILY WAS FORMED THESE PEOPLE SUPPORTED EACH OTHER...IF THEY HAD PROBLEMS OR TROUBLES. THE POMO AS WELL AS OTHER CALIFORNIA TRIBES VIEWED THE INDIVIDUAL AS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT A FAMILY.
CHILDREN WERE GIVEN MUCH TRAINING AND KINDNESS. SINCE THEY HAD AN EASY WAY OF HUNTING AND GATHERING MANY FOODS THEY COULD SPEND MUCH TIME ON RAISING THEIR FAMILIES. THEY GAVE THE CHILDREN QUESTIONS TO ANSWER SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE ANSWERS THEMSELVES VS. DIRECTLY TELLING THEM THE ANSWERS. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE YOUTH WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT IN THE WORLD NOT TO GET KNOWLEDGE BUT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES.
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
THE WOMEN COLLECTED PRIMARILY THREE DIFFERENT REEDS AND ROOTS - BLACK WILLOW, SEDGE ROOT, AND REDBUD SHOOTS FOR BOTH COILED AND TWINED BASKETS. THE REDBUD PRIMARILY COMES FROM CLEAR LAKE. OTHER PLANTS USED FOR POMO BASKETS INCLUDE MAIDEN HAIR FERN, BULRUSH SHOOTS, AND BRACKEN FERN. THEY CONSIDERED THE BASKET A LIVING THING AND IT WAS THEIR SPIRITUAL ART. MEN ALSO MADE TWINED BABY BASKETS FROM WILLOW SHOOTS.
THE FAMILY WAS THE SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH POMO LIFE WAS BASED. IT WAS KNOWN THAT A MAN NEEDED TO HAVE A FAMILY SO HE WOULD HAVE A RICH LIFE. OTHERWISE HE WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE IMPORTANT. THERE WERE 20,000 POMO HERE BEFORE THE ANGLOS SETTLED IN. CEREMONIAL LIFE WAS IMMEASURABLY RICH WITH SECRET SOCIETIES, SHAMANS, FESTIVALS, AND ELABORATE DANCES. ONCE A FAMILY WAS FORMED THESE PEOPLE SUPPORTED EACH OTHER...IF THEY HAD PROBLEMS OR TROUBLES. THE POMO AS WELL AS OTHER CALIFORNIA TRIBES VIEWED THE INDIVIDUAL AS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT A FAMILY.
CHILDREN WERE GIVEN MUCH TRAINING AND KINDNESS. SINCE THEY HAD AN EASY WAY OF HUNTING AND GATHERING MANY FOODS THEY COULD SPEND MUCH TIME ON RAISING THEIR FAMILIES. THEY GAVE THE CHILDREN QUESTIONS TO ANSWER SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE ANSWERS THEMSELVES VS. DIRECTLY TELLING THEM THE ANSWERS. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE YOUTH WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT IN THE WORLD NOT TO GET KNOWLEDGE BUT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES.
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
OLD AGE AND HOW PEOPLE FEEL
MANY PEOPLE OVER 60 FEEL LIKE THEY ARE NOT THAT OLD. THEIR MINDS LET THEM THINK THAT THEY ARE STILL YOUNG. I'VE BEEN TO LECTURES AND TALKED WITH MEDICAL DOCTORS ABOUT THIS. MY MOM IS OVER 90 AND SHE DOES NOT FEEL LIKE SHE SHOULD BE THAT OLD, AND FEELS LIKE SHE WANTS TO RELATE TO YOUNGER PEOPLE.
IN HUNZA LAND (PAKISTAN) THE PEOPLE TEND TO BE QUITE ACTIVE IN THEIR 100'S. THEIR DIET PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE. THEY ARE SLENDER AND ATHLETIC. SOME RESEARCHERS SAY THEY HAVE NO CANCER, ULCERS, HEART PROBLEMS OR NEED EYE GLASSES. HOWEVER, DR. ALLEN BANIK SAYS THEY HAVE OTHER DISEASES. THE MEN FATHER CHILDREN IN THEIR 80'S AND 90'S. THEY LIVE ABOVE 20,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL AND USE THE GLACIER WATER THAT IS QUITE PURE. THEY HAVE NO BANKS OR STORES AND ONLY EAT ORGANIC FRESH AND NATURAL UNPROCESSED FOODS.
IN WINTER THEY BREAK HOLES IN THE ICY STREAMS AND SWIM UNDER WATER. MOST OF THEIR FOOD COMES FROM ORGANIC VEGETABLES. THEY EAT COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES THAT ARE FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND GRAINS. THEY USE GROUND UP APRICOT NUTS IN A DRINK TO ELIMINATE SKIN GROWTHS. THEY EAT DRIED APRICOTS EVERY DAY WHICH ARE HIGH IN VITAMIN A AND FIBER. THEY ARE A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE.
IN HUNZA LAND (PAKISTAN) THE PEOPLE TEND TO BE QUITE ACTIVE IN THEIR 100'S. THEIR DIET PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE. THEY ARE SLENDER AND ATHLETIC. SOME RESEARCHERS SAY THEY HAVE NO CANCER, ULCERS, HEART PROBLEMS OR NEED EYE GLASSES. HOWEVER, DR. ALLEN BANIK SAYS THEY HAVE OTHER DISEASES. THE MEN FATHER CHILDREN IN THEIR 80'S AND 90'S. THEY LIVE ABOVE 20,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL AND USE THE GLACIER WATER THAT IS QUITE PURE. THEY HAVE NO BANKS OR STORES AND ONLY EAT ORGANIC FRESH AND NATURAL UNPROCESSED FOODS.
IN WINTER THEY BREAK HOLES IN THE ICY STREAMS AND SWIM UNDER WATER. MOST OF THEIR FOOD COMES FROM ORGANIC VEGETABLES. THEY EAT COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES THAT ARE FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND GRAINS. THEY USE GROUND UP APRICOT NUTS IN A DRINK TO ELIMINATE SKIN GROWTHS. THEY EAT DRIED APRICOTS EVERY DAY WHICH ARE HIGH IN VITAMIN A AND FIBER. THEY ARE A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
USE OF BUCKEYES FOR FOOD
THE POMO CALLED BUCKEYE HORSE CHESTNUTS - DE-SA-KA-LA = FOOD TREE. THE MASHED ROOTS WERE POURED INTO THE RIVER TO STUPIFY THE FISH, THEN COLLECTED IN BASKETS. THEY CUT BARK FROM THE BASE OF BUCKEYE TREE AND MADE A POULTICE FOR CURING SNAKEBITE. THEY CUT THE YOUNG SHOOTS FOR STICKS FOR FIRE MAKING.
THE NUTS ARE POISONOUS IF EATEN RAW JUST LIKE THE ACORNS. THEY ARE LEACHED JUST AS I HAVE DESCRIBED FOR ACORN PROCESSING. THEY HARVEST THESE NUTS AROUND NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER. THE SEEDS WHEN PLANTED CAN GROW UP TO 10 " PER YEAR. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR THEY WILL NOT NEED CONTINUAL CARE.
THERE ARE SEVERAL SIZES OF BUCKYES IN CALIFORNIA. NATIVES SAY THAT THEY TASTE BETTER THAN POTATOES.
THE NUTS ARE POISONOUS IF EATEN RAW JUST LIKE THE ACORNS. THEY ARE LEACHED JUST AS I HAVE DESCRIBED FOR ACORN PROCESSING. THEY HARVEST THESE NUTS AROUND NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER. THE SEEDS WHEN PLANTED CAN GROW UP TO 10 " PER YEAR. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR THEY WILL NOT NEED CONTINUAL CARE.
THERE ARE SEVERAL SIZES OF BUCKYES IN CALIFORNIA. NATIVES SAY THAT THEY TASTE BETTER THAN POTATOES.
CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING
TODAY I WENT TO THE CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING AND I ENJOYED SINGING THE SONGS THEY HAD. SOME OF THE SONGS REVOLVED AROUND MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS AS WELL AS GREATGRANDMOTHERS. THERE WERE ABOUT 5 GREAT GRANDMOTHERS WHO STOOD UP AND THE CONGREGATION CLAPPED FOR THEM. WE SANG SONGS THAT WERE RELATED TO LOVE AND WERE ABOUT BEING IN PEACE WITH OUR FAMILIES AND ABOUT FEELING WHO YOU ARE.
THE MINISTER GAVE A LESSON ABOUT 12 STEPS TO TAKE THAT WILL HELP YOU FEEL MORE IN TUNE WITH YOURSELF. HE SAID TO REALIZE THAT WHO YOU ARE IS TO BE YOURSELF AND DO YOUR BEST. OTHER SECRETS HE SPOKE ABOUT WERE NOT TO BE SO JUDGEMENTAL OF EVERYONE ELSE. MANY SINGLE PEOPLE COME TO THIS CHURCH AND ARE FROM MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
THIS IS A CHURCH I HAD BEEN TO FOR MANY YEARS WHEN MY SON WAS A SMALL BOY - IT WAS AT THE WELLS FARGO ART CENTER DURING THE MID 1990'S AND WAS CLOSE TO HEALDSBURG.
THE MINISTER ALSO SAID THAT WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEAD IS ALL ABOUT YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES AND THAT WE ARE APPRECIATED BY OTHERS FOR BEING OUR UNIQUE SELVES. THIS CHURCH SPEAKS OF GOD AS ALL OF US AND EVERYTHING ON EARTH. IT IS NONSECTARIAN AND VERY OPEN MINDED ABOUT LIVING A RELAXED AND UNHURRIED LIFE. DURONG MOST OF THE LESSONS HE SAYS TO BREATHE DEEPLY. VERY INTERESTING ENOUGH SINCE WE LIVE IN A FAST PACED WORLD.
THE MINISTER GAVE A LESSON ABOUT 12 STEPS TO TAKE THAT WILL HELP YOU FEEL MORE IN TUNE WITH YOURSELF. HE SAID TO REALIZE THAT WHO YOU ARE IS TO BE YOURSELF AND DO YOUR BEST. OTHER SECRETS HE SPOKE ABOUT WERE NOT TO BE SO JUDGEMENTAL OF EVERYONE ELSE. MANY SINGLE PEOPLE COME TO THIS CHURCH AND ARE FROM MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
THIS IS A CHURCH I HAD BEEN TO FOR MANY YEARS WHEN MY SON WAS A SMALL BOY - IT WAS AT THE WELLS FARGO ART CENTER DURING THE MID 1990'S AND WAS CLOSE TO HEALDSBURG.
THE MINISTER ALSO SAID THAT WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEAD IS ALL ABOUT YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES AND THAT WE ARE APPRECIATED BY OTHERS FOR BEING OUR UNIQUE SELVES. THIS CHURCH SPEAKS OF GOD AS ALL OF US AND EVERYTHING ON EARTH. IT IS NONSECTARIAN AND VERY OPEN MINDED ABOUT LIVING A RELAXED AND UNHURRIED LIFE. DURONG MOST OF THE LESSONS HE SAYS TO BREATHE DEEPLY. VERY INTERESTING ENOUGH SINCE WE LIVE IN A FAST PACED WORLD.
WINDSOR FARMERS MARKET
TODAY I WENT TO THE WINDSOR FARMERS MARKET AND VISITED WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE MARKET. THEY HAD A FEW GROWERS WHO WERE SELLING CHEESE, FISH, ORGANIC BUTTER, STRAWBERRIES, AND VARIOUS BREADS. THEY ALSO HAD A GIRL MAKING CROCHETED AND KNITTED GOODS AS WELL AS A CERAMIC SELLER. ONE MAN SOLD WEED CONTROL FABRIC AND HE HAD AN EXAMPLE OF HOW IT WORKED. I SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE STRAWBERRIES WERE SPIRITUAL TO THE POMO INDIANS. THEY ALSO HAD VENDORS SELLING VEGETABLE PLANTS AS WELL AS FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS.
THERE ACTUALLY WERE MORE VENDORS IN WINDSOR THAN IN HEALDSBURG.
THERE ACTUALLY WERE MORE VENDORS IN WINDSOR THAN IN HEALDSBURG.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
CALIFORNIA INDIAN USE OF TARWEED
IN SONOMA COUNTY THERE WERE MANY TYPES OF TARWEED SEEDS. THE PLANT STANDS ABOUT 8 TO 20 INCHES HIGH. I NOTICED THIS PLANT THROUGHOUT THE MENDICINO NATIONAL FOREST AS THE STICKY LEAVES STUCK TO MY BOOTS AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS AN EDIBLE SEED AT THAT TIME. IT BLOOMS FROM LATE APRIL TO NOVE4MBER. THE NATIVES TYPICALLY GATHERED THE SEEDS LATE SUMMER TO FALL FOR VARIOUS KINDS OF PINOLE. THE PLANT SMELLS A LOT LIKE A BITTER ROOT. ACTUALLY THE SMALL SEEDS ARE BEATEN OUT OF THE HEAD OF THE FLOWERS AND COLLECTED IN A BASKET. THE POMO USED A BATON LIKE SEED BEATER TO COLLECT THESE SEEDS BY THE HUNDREDS. THE SWISHING NOISE OF THE TARWEED SEED COLLECTING WAS A FAMILIAR SOUND IN THE GRASSLANDS. IT WAS A FAMILIAR CHORE DONE BY THE WOMEN. THERE ARE VARIOUS TASTES OF EACH TYPE OF TARWEED.
THEY TYPICALLY PARCHED THE RICH OILY SEEDS IN ANOTHER FLAT BASKETS WITH HEATED ROCKS IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE TASTE TO BEING DELIGHTFULLY SPICY. THE SEED MEAL WAS SO OILY THAT IT WAS PRESSED TOGETER TO EAT LIKE A GRANOLA BAR.
THEY TYPICALLY PARCHED THE RICH OILY SEEDS IN ANOTHER FLAT BASKETS WITH HEATED ROCKS IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE TASTE TO BEING DELIGHTFULLY SPICY. THE SEED MEAL WAS SO OILY THAT IT WAS PRESSED TOGETER TO EAT LIKE A GRANOLA BAR.
HEALDSBURG FARMER'S MARKET
TODAY I VISITED THE HEALDSBURG MARKET. I LEARNED FROM A VENDOR THAT HE GROWS GOOD CHERRIES IN CALIFORNIA! I THOUGHT THAT THEY ONLY CAME FROM WASHINGTON. THERE WAS A LADY WHO HAND LOOMED SOME FINE COTTON TOWELS AND SCARVES-VERY EXPENSIVE. THEY HAD A BAND WITH A GUITAR, DRUMMER, AND A WOMAN SINGER. ONE VENDER SOLD VERY SMALL STRAWBERRIES. OTHERS SOLD SALMON, CHEESES, GOURDS, AND MANY OTHER VEGETABLES. THEY ALSO SOLD A VARIETY OF ORGANIC PLANTS AND LIVE AND DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. ONE BOOTH SOLD DRIED FRUITS THAT WERE YUMMY!
ANOTHER BOOTH SOLD CERAMICS AND THEY WERE SOME THAT I HAD USED IN MY FOUNTAINS.
ANOTHER BOOTH SOLD CERAMICS AND THEY WERE SOME THAT I HAD USED IN MY FOUNTAINS.
Friday, May 7, 2010
USE OF CATTAILS BY NATIVE AMERICANS
THE INDIANS CALLED THIS ROOT THE FLAG TULE. THE ROOTS AND THE BASES OF THE STEMS ARE USED FOR FOOD, AND THE DOWN OF THE FRUITING PART IS USED TO SOME EXTENT FOR BEDS.
CATTAIL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF FOOD AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEARS. IT IS USED FOR ROPE, STUFFING PILLOWS, AND STUFFING MATTRESSES. IN THE SPRING THE SHOOTS ARE PEELED TO THE TENDER WHITE CORN, EATEN RAW IN SALADS. THIS CAN BE DONE IN THE LATE FALL, WINTER OR EARLY SPRING.
IN THE FALL THE ROOTSTALKS ARE NUTRITIOUS AS A FLOUR. THEY POUND THE ROOTSTALKS INTO A PAIL OF WATER. ALLOW STARCH TO SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM AND DRAIN THE WATER. THIS FLOUR CAN BE DRIED AND SAVED FOR USE LATER, THE ENLARGED PART OF THE ROOTSTALK CAN BE USED FOR POTATOES.
CATTAIL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF FOOD AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEARS. IT IS USED FOR ROPE, STUFFING PILLOWS, AND STUFFING MATTRESSES. IN THE SPRING THE SHOOTS ARE PEELED TO THE TENDER WHITE CORN, EATEN RAW IN SALADS. THIS CAN BE DONE IN THE LATE FALL, WINTER OR EARLY SPRING.
IN THE FALL THE ROOTSTALKS ARE NUTRITIOUS AS A FLOUR. THEY POUND THE ROOTSTALKS INTO A PAIL OF WATER. ALLOW STARCH TO SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM AND DRAIN THE WATER. THIS FLOUR CAN BE DRIED AND SAVED FOR USE LATER, THE ENLARGED PART OF THE ROOTSTALK CAN BE USED FOR POTATOES.
SONOMA COUNTY BLACKBERRIES
IN SONOMA COUNTY THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO TYPES OF BLACKBERRY BUSHES. ONE IS A HIMALAYAN (RUBUS DISCOLOR) WHICH HAS A LARGE BERRY ABOUT 1 INCH IN DIAMETER, AND THE FLOWERS ARE 5 PETALED AND THEY ARE NON-NATIVE. THE ARE FOUND GROWING THOUGHOUT THE NORTH COAST RANGES, ESPECIALLY ON THE COASTAL AREAS. THE HIMALAYAN BLACKBERRY IS ALSO FOUND IN THE EASTERN U.S.
THE NATIVE BLACKBERRY IS A SMALLER BERRY AND IS RIBUS VITIFOLIUS AND IS FOUND IN SOME AREAS OF DRAINAGES. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT SEEN MANY OF THESE BUSHES IN THE WILD FOR SOME REASON. THEIR LEAVES ARE COMPOUND AND SMALLER THAN THE HIMALAYAN BLACKBERRIES. THEIR FLOWERS ARE MUCH NARROWER THAN THE HIMALAYAN AND ARE WHITE. I HAVE SEEN THEM AT PEPPERWOOD PRESERVE IN A MARSH SITUATION. THE POMO HARVESTED THEM IN AUGUST
BOTH TYPES OF BLACKBERRIES RIPEN IN THE JUNE TO JULY PERIOD.
THE NATIVE BLACKBERRY IS A SMALLER BERRY AND IS RIBUS VITIFOLIUS AND IS FOUND IN SOME AREAS OF DRAINAGES. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT SEEN MANY OF THESE BUSHES IN THE WILD FOR SOME REASON. THEIR LEAVES ARE COMPOUND AND SMALLER THAN THE HIMALAYAN BLACKBERRIES. THEIR FLOWERS ARE MUCH NARROWER THAN THE HIMALAYAN AND ARE WHITE. I HAVE SEEN THEM AT PEPPERWOOD PRESERVE IN A MARSH SITUATION. THE POMO HARVESTED THEM IN AUGUST
BOTH TYPES OF BLACKBERRIES RIPEN IN THE JUNE TO JULY PERIOD.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
BECOMING A MAN
CHILDREN IN INDIAN TRIBES WERE TREATED WITH KINDNESS AND EVEN INDULGENCE. THEY WERE EXPECTED TO LEARN THEIR TRIBAL WAYS FROM AN ELDER. THEY LEARNED FROM EXAMPLE MOST IMPORTANTLY, AND PUT TOGETHER THE STORIES OF THEIR TRIBE. MANY OLDER MEN TOLD ABOUT THEIR HISTORIES AND THE YOUNG MEN LEARNED ABOUT HOW TO BEHAVE AND ACT. THE YOUNG MEN WENT TO THE OLD MEN EVERY NIGHT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR HISTORY AS WELL AS THE WAYS OF HUNTING, FISHING, MAKING BASKETS AND THEIR CEREMONIES.
THEY TOOK A BATH EVERY MORNING. THEY WENT TO A MOUNTAIN WHERE THEY GOT THEIR WOOD. THEY TOOK OFF THEIR CLOTHES AND JUMPED INTO A BIG LAKE. THEY MADE A BIG FIRE. THEY PICKED UP SOME ROCKS AND THREW ONE TOWARD THE WEST, ONE TOWARD THE EAST, AND ONE TOWARD THE SOUTH. AFTER THAT THEY MADE A PILLOW OUT OF A ROCK. THEN YOU WILL DREAM PERHAPS OF HUNTING OR GAMBLING OR ABOUT DOCTORING. IF YOU DREAM OF THOSE THINGS REMEMBER THEM. IF YOU DREAMT SOMETHING BAD SUCH AS FIGHTING OR STEALING YOU MUST GO INTO THE WATER AND SWIM AGAIN. THAT IS WHAT HE TOLD ME. WHEN I CAME BACK, I WAS A MAN, NO LONGER A BOY.
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
THEY TOOK A BATH EVERY MORNING. THEY WENT TO A MOUNTAIN WHERE THEY GOT THEIR WOOD. THEY TOOK OFF THEIR CLOTHES AND JUMPED INTO A BIG LAKE. THEY MADE A BIG FIRE. THEY PICKED UP SOME ROCKS AND THREW ONE TOWARD THE WEST, ONE TOWARD THE EAST, AND ONE TOWARD THE SOUTH. AFTER THAT THEY MADE A PILLOW OUT OF A ROCK. THEN YOU WILL DREAM PERHAPS OF HUNTING OR GAMBLING OR ABOUT DOCTORING. IF YOU DREAM OF THOSE THINGS REMEMBER THEM. IF YOU DREAMT SOMETHING BAD SUCH AS FIGHTING OR STEALING YOU MUST GO INTO THE WATER AND SWIM AGAIN. THAT IS WHAT HE TOLD ME. WHEN I CAME BACK, I WAS A MAN, NO LONGER A BOY.
MALCOLM MARGOLIN
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
VISIT TO THE SRJC INDIAN MUSEUM
TODAY I WENT TO THE NEW SRJC MUSEUM WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY JESSE PETER. IT WAS A SMALL MUSEUM THAT HAD MANY VARIETIES OF ETHNIC ARTIFACTS, BASKETS, CERAMICS, CLOTHING, AND WOODEN ARTIFACTS.
MANY OF THE BASKETS WERE FROM THE POMO AND THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIBES. NMANY WERE MADE FROM WILLOW, SEDGE, MAIDENHAIR, AND REDBUD ROOTS. THEIR WERE MANY SMALL BASKETS AND ONLY ONE FEATHER POMO BASKET.
OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS REPRESENTED WERE ETHIOPIAN TRIBES WHO MADE ELLABORATELY COLORED COILED BASKETS FROM THREADS OR FLOSS. THEY ALSO HAD SOME OF THEIR CLOTHING AND EMBROIDERY.
THE SOUTHWEST INDIANS WERE REPRESENTED AS WELL - SOME VERY DELICATE CERAMIC POTS WHICH WERE FROM VARIOUS PUEBLOS. THEY ALSO HAD SOME OF THEIR BELTS OF WOOL.
IN THEIR CONFERENCE ROOM THEY HAD MANY SOUTHWESTERN BLANKETS OF BEAUTIFUL COLORS OF WOOL.
ALSO REPRESENTED WAS THE MEXICAN CULTURE. THEY HAD A REPLICA OF A CHIEFS HEAD, SOME CERAMICS, AND SOME OF THEIR WEAVINGS.
THEY HAD NICE LIGHTING AND LITTLE DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE CULTURES.
MANY OF THE BASKETS WERE FROM THE POMO AND THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIBES. NMANY WERE MADE FROM WILLOW, SEDGE, MAIDENHAIR, AND REDBUD ROOTS. THEIR WERE MANY SMALL BASKETS AND ONLY ONE FEATHER POMO BASKET.
OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS REPRESENTED WERE ETHIOPIAN TRIBES WHO MADE ELLABORATELY COLORED COILED BASKETS FROM THREADS OR FLOSS. THEY ALSO HAD SOME OF THEIR CLOTHING AND EMBROIDERY.
THE SOUTHWEST INDIANS WERE REPRESENTED AS WELL - SOME VERY DELICATE CERAMIC POTS WHICH WERE FROM VARIOUS PUEBLOS. THEY ALSO HAD SOME OF THEIR BELTS OF WOOL.
IN THEIR CONFERENCE ROOM THEY HAD MANY SOUTHWESTERN BLANKETS OF BEAUTIFUL COLORS OF WOOL.
ALSO REPRESENTED WAS THE MEXICAN CULTURE. THEY HAD A REPLICA OF A CHIEFS HEAD, SOME CERAMICS, AND SOME OF THEIR WEAVINGS.
THEY HAD NICE LIGHTING AND LITTLE DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE CULTURES.
THE RAINMAKER
ASIDE FROM CURING SHAMANS HAD A VARIETY OF OTHER POWERS INCLUDING RAINMAKING. THIS WAS GENERALLY AN IDEA THAT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAD ABOUT HOW THE SPRING FLOODS ESPECIALLY IN THE DESERT AREAS. IN MOST YEARS THE CROPS GREW BEAUTIFULLY. WHEN THERE WAS A LACK OF RAIN THEY LOOKED TO THE RAINMAKER.
THE LAST RAINMAKER WE HAD WAS AN OLD MAN WHO BELONGED TO A RELIGIOUS CLAN. THE MEMBERS HAD POWERFUL DREAMS.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NO RAIN FOR TWO YEARS AND THE RIVER WAS VERY LOW. EVERYBODY GOT WORRIED. THE MEN GOT TOGETHER TO DECIDE TO SEND A MESSAGE TELLING THEIR CLAN TO PLACE FOUR BAMBOO TUBES FILLED WITH TOBACCO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BIG SHELTER WHERE THEY HELD A MEETING.
WHEN THE RAINMAKER SHAMAN CAME TO THE PLACE WHERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE HE PICKED UP TUBES OF TABACCO ONE AT A TIME AND SMOKED THEM. HIS SPEECH SAID IT WAS TURTLE SPIRIT THAT HAD GIVEN HIM THE POWER ON THE MOUNTAIN. THE SPIRIT SHOWED HIM EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND TOLD HIM TO THINK OF THE TURTLE AND NAME HIM WHEN HE PERFORMED THE RITUAL. HE COMMANDED THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM OUT OF THE SHELTER. BEFORE HE HAD GONE VERY FAR THERE WERE PATCHES OF CLOUD ALL OVER THE SKY AND RAIN HAD FALLEN AND IN LESS THAN AN HOUR A HEAVY DOWNPOUR LASTED 4 DAYS.
THE LAST RAINMAKER WE HAD WAS AN OLD MAN WHO BELONGED TO A RELIGIOUS CLAN. THE MEMBERS HAD POWERFUL DREAMS.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NO RAIN FOR TWO YEARS AND THE RIVER WAS VERY LOW. EVERYBODY GOT WORRIED. THE MEN GOT TOGETHER TO DECIDE TO SEND A MESSAGE TELLING THEIR CLAN TO PLACE FOUR BAMBOO TUBES FILLED WITH TOBACCO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BIG SHELTER WHERE THEY HELD A MEETING.
WHEN THE RAINMAKER SHAMAN CAME TO THE PLACE WHERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE HE PICKED UP TUBES OF TABACCO ONE AT A TIME AND SMOKED THEM. HIS SPEECH SAID IT WAS TURTLE SPIRIT THAT HAD GIVEN HIM THE POWER ON THE MOUNTAIN. THE SPIRIT SHOWED HIM EXACTLY WHAT TO DO AND TOLD HIM TO THINK OF THE TURTLE AND NAME HIM WHEN HE PERFORMED THE RITUAL. HE COMMANDED THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM OUT OF THE SHELTER. BEFORE HE HAD GONE VERY FAR THERE WERE PATCHES OF CLOUD ALL OVER THE SKY AND RAIN HAD FALLEN AND IN LESS THAN AN HOUR A HEAVY DOWNPOUR LASTED 4 DAYS.
COYOTE'S JOURNEY
COYOTE AS VIEWED BY MANY CALIFORNIA INDIANS AS THE MAKER OF THE HUMAN RACE. HE ALSO DISPERSED ACORNS AND SALMON THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. HE ALSO HAD MANY STORIES ABOUT HIS ABORTIVE JOURNEY OF GATHERING SHELL MONEY AT KLAMATH FALLS, HIS FOOLISHNESS, AND TRICKERY.
COYOTE WENT TO KLAMATH FALLS TO GET THE MONEY THAT HE SO DESIRED, AND HE GOT A LOT OF IT. COYOTE WENT UPSTREAM, THERE HAD BEEN A BIG FIRE AND THERE WERE LOTS OF GRASSHOPPERS. HE GATHERED A FEW ROASTED GRASSHOPPERS AND WENT DOWN RIVER.
HE TURNED INTO SOME DRIFTWOOD AND FLOATED UPSTREAM AND WATCHED WOMEN LEACHING FLOUR. HE SAID I'LL KEEP FLOATING INTO CIRCLES DOWNSTREAM FROM THEM. SOME GIRLS PICKED UP THE DRIFTWOOD MAYBE IT'S COYOTE AND THEN THEY THREW IT BACK INTO THE RIVER.
THEY ATE SOME ACORN MUSH AND THEY BOTH BECAME PREGNANT. THEN COYOTE FLOATED DOWNSTREAM AND EVENTUALLY TURNED BACK INTO HIMSELF.
COYOTE WENT TO KLAMATH FALLS TO GET THE MONEY THAT HE SO DESIRED, AND HE GOT A LOT OF IT. COYOTE WENT UPSTREAM, THERE HAD BEEN A BIG FIRE AND THERE WERE LOTS OF GRASSHOPPERS. HE GATHERED A FEW ROASTED GRASSHOPPERS AND WENT DOWN RIVER.
HE TURNED INTO SOME DRIFTWOOD AND FLOATED UPSTREAM AND WATCHED WOMEN LEACHING FLOUR. HE SAID I'LL KEEP FLOATING INTO CIRCLES DOWNSTREAM FROM THEM. SOME GIRLS PICKED UP THE DRIFTWOOD MAYBE IT'S COYOTE AND THEN THEY THREW IT BACK INTO THE RIVER.
THEY ATE SOME ACORN MUSH AND THEY BOTH BECAME PREGNANT. THEN COYOTE FLOATED DOWNSTREAM AND EVENTUALLY TURNED BACK INTO HIMSELF.
Monday, May 3, 2010
INTRODUCING PLANTS IN A VILLAGE TO MAKE BASKET MATERIALS
CALIFORNIA INDIANS CULTIVATED, IRRIGATED, BURNED, FERTILIZED, AND PRUNED VARIOUS PLANTS FOR THEIR BASKET MATERIALS. THESE PLANTS INCLUDED NATIVE GRASSES, SEDGES, BRACKEN FERN, TULE, WILLOWS, AND HORSETAIL. THEY STIMULATED THE NEW SPROUTS OF DOGWOOD, REDBUD, WILLOW, MAPLE HAZELNUT AND OTHER SHRUBS BY BURNING. THEY PRUNED MAIDENHAIR FERN, CATTAIL,TULE, NETTLE, AND WILD GRAPE.
THEIR TENDING OF THESE PLANTS WAS DISTINCT FROM THE OTHER INDIANS (IN OTHER STATES) WHO GREW AGRICULTURAL CROPS FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. HERE IN THE NORTH COAST RABGES WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY HEALTHY TYPE OF SOIL WHERE IT IS EASY TO GROW MOST PLANT FROM SEED. THERE WERE INTERGENERATIONAL VISITS TO THE SAME GATHERING SITES WHICH WERE TENDED FOR SUSTAINABILITY.
THEIR TENDING OF THESE PLANTS WAS DISTINCT FROM THE OTHER INDIANS (IN OTHER STATES) WHO GREW AGRICULTURAL CROPS FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. HERE IN THE NORTH COAST RABGES WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY HEALTHY TYPE OF SOIL WHERE IT IS EASY TO GROW MOST PLANT FROM SEED. THERE WERE INTERGENERATIONAL VISITS TO THE SAME GATHERING SITES WHICH WERE TENDED FOR SUSTAINABILITY.
SPINAL SUSPENSION
DONNA EDEN EXPLAINS HOW TO REJUVENATE YOURSELF BY DOING A SPINAL SUSPENSION:
1. STAND WITH YOUR FEET AS WIDE AS YOUR SHOULDERS.
2. PLACE YOUR HANDS ON YOUR THIGHS ABOVE YOUR KNEES AND BEND YOUR KNEES AS IF YOU WERE SITTING ON AN INVISABLE CHAIR.
3. PLACE YOUR HEAD FORWARD AND YOUR BOTTOM BACK ADJUST YOUR FEET SO YOUR KNEES ARE DIRECTLY ABOVE YOUR ANKLES AND YOUR ARMS AND BACK ARE STRAIGHT. YOU CREATE A SUSPENSION WITH YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT.
4. STRETCH YOUR ONE SHOULDER ACROSS AND DOWN TOWARD THE OPPOSITE KNEE. REPEAT WITH THE OTHER SHOULDER. IT IS A CROSSOVER AND YOU CAN FEEL THE STRETCH ACROSS YOUR BACK.
YOU CAN DO THIS STRETCH MORE THAN ONCE.
5. SLOWLY RAISE YOURSELF WITH YOUR ARMS HANGING DOWN.
1. STAND WITH YOUR FEET AS WIDE AS YOUR SHOULDERS.
2. PLACE YOUR HANDS ON YOUR THIGHS ABOVE YOUR KNEES AND BEND YOUR KNEES AS IF YOU WERE SITTING ON AN INVISABLE CHAIR.
3. PLACE YOUR HEAD FORWARD AND YOUR BOTTOM BACK ADJUST YOUR FEET SO YOUR KNEES ARE DIRECTLY ABOVE YOUR ANKLES AND YOUR ARMS AND BACK ARE STRAIGHT. YOU CREATE A SUSPENSION WITH YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT.
4. STRETCH YOUR ONE SHOULDER ACROSS AND DOWN TOWARD THE OPPOSITE KNEE. REPEAT WITH THE OTHER SHOULDER. IT IS A CROSSOVER AND YOU CAN FEEL THE STRETCH ACROSS YOUR BACK.
YOU CAN DO THIS STRETCH MORE THAN ONCE.
5. SLOWLY RAISE YOURSELF WITH YOUR ARMS HANGING DOWN.
HOW TO RELEASE NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN
ACCORDING TO DONNA EDEN YOU CAN EASILY RELEASE TENSION IN YOUR SHOULDERS.
1. TAKE A HAIRBRUSH THAT HAS STRONG BRISTLES AND TAP YOUR SHOULDERS IN A STEADY RHYTHM UNTIL YOU FEEL MORE RELAXED. THE BRISTLES ON THE HAIRBRUSH ARE LIKE PRONGS THAT CAN BREAK UP CONGESTED ENERGY.
2. STAND WITH YOUR ARMS STIFFENED AND HANGING DOWN THE SIDES OF YOUR BODY. LIFT YOUR SHOULDERS HIGH AND ROLL YOUR HEAD AROUND IN A CIRCLE OR A HALF CIRCLE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THIS GIVES YOUR NECK AND SHOULDERS A NATURAL MASSAGE THAT SOFTENS THE KNOTS AND BREAKS UP CALCIUM DEPOSITS.
1. TAKE A HAIRBRUSH THAT HAS STRONG BRISTLES AND TAP YOUR SHOULDERS IN A STEADY RHYTHM UNTIL YOU FEEL MORE RELAXED. THE BRISTLES ON THE HAIRBRUSH ARE LIKE PRONGS THAT CAN BREAK UP CONGESTED ENERGY.
2. STAND WITH YOUR ARMS STIFFENED AND HANGING DOWN THE SIDES OF YOUR BODY. LIFT YOUR SHOULDERS HIGH AND ROLL YOUR HEAD AROUND IN A CIRCLE OR A HALF CIRCLE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THIS GIVES YOUR NECK AND SHOULDERS A NATURAL MASSAGE THAT SOFTENS THE KNOTS AND BREAKS UP CALCIUM DEPOSITS.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FEELINGS
USE YOUR FEELINGS TO REDIRECT YOU TO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO. IF YOU KNOW HOW TO LIVE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS AND YOU WILL KNOW HOW TO BE MOVED BY THEM.
YOUR FEELINGS CONNECT YOU TO OTHERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY BECOME MORE FRIENDLY TO YOU AS YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR FAMILY IMPROVES. IF YOU LIKE TO JOKE AROUND IT FEELS GOOD TO EVERYONE.
AS YOUR FEELINGS DISTINGUISH YOU FROM OTHERS THEY ALSO HELP YOU TO CONNECT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FAVORABLE TO YOU. YOU MAY WANT TO THANK PEOPLE FOR THEIR OPINION AND GO YOUR OWN ROUTE. ANYTIME YOU SUSPECT PEOPLE AREN'T BEING HONEST YOU HAVE AN INSTINCT THAT TELLS YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM.
YOUR FEELINGS LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE IN DANGER OF A PHYSICAL PAIN OR OF AN UNHAPPINESS. BEING AWARE OF YOUR FEELINGS YOU CAN ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE IMPERFECT AS WELL AS REALIZE THAT NO ONE IS PERFECT.
FEELINGS INCLUDE HAPPINESS, FEAR, AND PAIN, AND NUMBNESS.
YOUR FEELINGS CONNECT YOU TO OTHERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY BECOME MORE FRIENDLY TO YOU AS YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR FAMILY IMPROVES. IF YOU LIKE TO JOKE AROUND IT FEELS GOOD TO EVERYONE.
AS YOUR FEELINGS DISTINGUISH YOU FROM OTHERS THEY ALSO HELP YOU TO CONNECT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FAVORABLE TO YOU. YOU MAY WANT TO THANK PEOPLE FOR THEIR OPINION AND GO YOUR OWN ROUTE. ANYTIME YOU SUSPECT PEOPLE AREN'T BEING HONEST YOU HAVE AN INSTINCT THAT TELLS YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM.
YOUR FEELINGS LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU ARE IN DANGER OF A PHYSICAL PAIN OR OF AN UNHAPPINESS. BEING AWARE OF YOUR FEELINGS YOU CAN ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE IMPERFECT AS WELL AS REALIZE THAT NO ONE IS PERFECT.
FEELINGS INCLUDE HAPPINESS, FEAR, AND PAIN, AND NUMBNESS.
SHILOH RANCH PARK
YESTERDAY I HIKED UP TO SHILOH RANCH PARK FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. IT WAS WARM BUT THE PATHS ARE NICE AND COOL WITH FORESTS FOR THE MOST PART. THERE IS A LAKE AS YOU HIKE ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES INTO THE PARK. THERE WERE MANY GEESE AND ABOUT 5 GOSSLINGS - VERY CUTE. THERE ARE MANY RABBITS AND COYOTE SCAT. THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE THAT HIKE THE TRAILS - I'M NOT SURE WHY..THERE ARE ALWAYS SOME HORSE RIDERS.
I SAW LIZARDS, MANY SMALL BIRDS THAT WERE PROBABLY WARBLERS. AND I SAW SOME CHAMISE, LOMATIUMS, CHAMOMILE, AND DOUGLAS FIRS, MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF OAKS, BUCKEYE TREES, MONKEY FLOWERS, DOUGLAS IRISES, AND MANY REDWOOD AND MADRONE TREES. WHEN YOU GET TO THE TOP OF THE RIDGE TRAIL THERE IS A GRAND VIEW OF THE TOWN OF WINDSOR AND SURROUNDING AREAS INCLUDING THE RUSSIAN RIVER.
YOU CAN REST ON SOME BENCHES AND THEY HAVE GOOD OVERLOOKS. I WAS ONE OF THE OLDER HIKERS. MANY YOUNGER FOLKS RUN OR BIKE ON THE TRAILS.
I SAW LIZARDS, MANY SMALL BIRDS THAT WERE PROBABLY WARBLERS. AND I SAW SOME CHAMISE, LOMATIUMS, CHAMOMILE, AND DOUGLAS FIRS, MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF OAKS, BUCKEYE TREES, MONKEY FLOWERS, DOUGLAS IRISES, AND MANY REDWOOD AND MADRONE TREES. WHEN YOU GET TO THE TOP OF THE RIDGE TRAIL THERE IS A GRAND VIEW OF THE TOWN OF WINDSOR AND SURROUNDING AREAS INCLUDING THE RUSSIAN RIVER.
YOU CAN REST ON SOME BENCHES AND THEY HAVE GOOD OVERLOOKS. I WAS ONE OF THE OLDER HIKERS. MANY YOUNGER FOLKS RUN OR BIKE ON THE TRAILS.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
ALLIES THAT HAVE AFFECTED US
MY FATHER WAS A GREAT ALLY THAT I HAD AS A CHILD. HE WAS A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR WHO LATER IN LIFE SOLD ALL KINDS OF PRODUCTS INCLUDING UNIFORMS AND SHOES. HE HAD A WAY OF BEING GENTLE WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE HIS CLIENTS AS WELL AS BOTH MY BROTHER AND I.
AS BARBARA SHER MENTIONS IN HER BOOK, LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE, SHE SAYS TO USE IMAGINARY OR REAL ALLIES WHO SUPPORT YOU THROUGH LIFE. AS NATIVE AMERICANS LEARNED THEY ALWAYS HAD ALLIES IN THEIR TRIBE OR IN NEARBY TRIBES. AS A COACH I USED TO TELL PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT DURING THE WEEK TO EXPAND YOUR SELF DEVELOPMENT. IF IT FEELS FEARSOME BRING AN ALLY WITH YOU. NATIVE AMERICANS CALLED FORTH THEIR ANIMAL SPIRITS WHO WERE VERY POWERFUL HEALERS. THEY BELIEVED THESE SPIRITS COULD PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN WHENEVER THEY WERE CALLED ON. THEY BELIEVED WHEN THEY FELL ASLEEP THEY WENT ON A DREAM JOURNEY AND THEY WOULD GATHER THEIR SPIRIT ALLIES EVERY NIGHT TO WATCH OVER THEM.
THI S BELIEF SHOWS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF OUR HUMAN NEEDS. YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE WITH SOMEONE WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO A FOREIGN PLACE VS. GOING BY YOURSELF. WE HAVE A PRIMITIVE INSTINCT WITHIN US THAT THAT BRINGS UP FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. OUR SPIRITUAL BEINGS FEEL BETTER WHEN WE AREWITH CLOSE FRIENDS.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HAVING A JOURNEY WAS WHEN I WAS 18 I TOOK A TRIP BY BUS FROM OHIO TO MEXICO TO WORK AS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST. I MADE ALLIES WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS AT MY FIELD SCHOOL AND WE ENJOYED EACH OTHERS COMPASNY AS WE TRAVELLED BY BUS TO DIFFERENT VILLAGES. IT FELT MUCH SAFER TO DO THIS WITH SOME FRIENDS VS BY MYSELF.
AS BARBARA SHER MENTIONS IN HER BOOK, LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE, SHE SAYS TO USE IMAGINARY OR REAL ALLIES WHO SUPPORT YOU THROUGH LIFE. AS NATIVE AMERICANS LEARNED THEY ALWAYS HAD ALLIES IN THEIR TRIBE OR IN NEARBY TRIBES. AS A COACH I USED TO TELL PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT DURING THE WEEK TO EXPAND YOUR SELF DEVELOPMENT. IF IT FEELS FEARSOME BRING AN ALLY WITH YOU. NATIVE AMERICANS CALLED FORTH THEIR ANIMAL SPIRITS WHO WERE VERY POWERFUL HEALERS. THEY BELIEVED THESE SPIRITS COULD PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN WHENEVER THEY WERE CALLED ON. THEY BELIEVED WHEN THEY FELL ASLEEP THEY WENT ON A DREAM JOURNEY AND THEY WOULD GATHER THEIR SPIRIT ALLIES EVERY NIGHT TO WATCH OVER THEM.
THI S BELIEF SHOWS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF OUR HUMAN NEEDS. YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE WITH SOMEONE WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO A FOREIGN PLACE VS. GOING BY YOURSELF. WE HAVE A PRIMITIVE INSTINCT WITHIN US THAT THAT BRINGS UP FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. OUR SPIRITUAL BEINGS FEEL BETTER WHEN WE AREWITH CLOSE FRIENDS.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HAVING A JOURNEY WAS WHEN I WAS 18 I TOOK A TRIP BY BUS FROM OHIO TO MEXICO TO WORK AS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST. I MADE ALLIES WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS AT MY FIELD SCHOOL AND WE ENJOYED EACH OTHERS COMPASNY AS WE TRAVELLED BY BUS TO DIFFERENT VILLAGES. IT FELT MUCH SAFER TO DO THIS WITH SOME FRIENDS VS BY MYSELF.
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