ELDERBERRY BARK FOR CLOTHING

ELDERBERRY BARK IS USED FOR MAKING SKIRTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SOME STILL USE THE TRADITIONAL FOODS THERE AS WELL. ONE INFORMANT WENT TO THE OLD MEXICAN ELDERBERRY TREE AND STRIPPED SOME BARK OFF OF THE TREE AND DRIED IT, THE OUTER BARK COMES OFF EASILY. THEY USE THE INNER BARK STRIPS 2 - 4 FEET LONG. ONCE DRIED THEY BRAID IT INTO CORDS FOR HOLDING UP A SKIRT OR PLAITING IT INTO FABRIC AS WELL.

A TREE IS USED SPARINGLY SO AS NOT TO KILL THE TREE. THE YUMANS STRIPPED THE BARK PARTIALLY FROM THE WOMEN'S TREE. COTTONWOOD WAS A TREE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDIANS USED FOR FIBER FOR WOMEN'S SKIRTS. THEY MAKE BARK SKIRTS FROM 8 FOOT 2 PLY MESCAL FIBER CORDS AND MAKE A BELT FOR THE SKIRT, THEY PASS THE STRINGS THROUGH LOOPS ON BOTH ENDS AND THEY FASTEN THE STRIPS ABOUT 3 FEET OFF THE GROUND. THEY SPRINKLE WATER ON THE ELDERBERRY STRIPS BEFORE THEY DRAPE THE STRIPS OVER A CORD. THEY JUST TIP THE BARK STRIPS TO A CORD AND MAKE THE SKIRT OF VARIOUS LENGTHS. THEY SECURE THE STRIPS WITH A SQUARE KNOT OF STRING. COCOPAH WOMEN USED THE INNER BARK OF WILLOW FOR FRONT AND BACK APRONS. COCOPAH MEN WORE WILLOW BREECH CLOUTS.

PAUL CAMPBELL