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I have a question or two. Do porcupines exist in our historic ranges of settlement back East? Did the porcupine every inhabit the Saponi or other Southeastern Siouan areas? And finally is it possible that porcupine quils may have been traded to the Saponi and other Southeastern Siouan Indians?
Sorry this time “it”didn’t accept Tom. Cotton top for a map of the porcupines range check julia bebbingtons book on porcupine quillwork, probably quills were traded into the southeast, there is good evidence of that if not then the finished products certainly were.There was a man named Sloane that collected several items from the Cherokees made of quills and buffalo hair. There is a danish painting of cherokee women wearing chockers made like the tump lines of the iroquios etc, look for Farley Mowats “Sea of Slaughter” he
talks about animals ands birds that are no longer around including several that would have not even been known if it were not for just a few bones. For quillwork in the south I’d bet that bird quills from thier feathers were more commonly used than anyhting else. I have heard of a Seminole quilled knife case but have not seen it yet.I have used snowy egret feathers with great success and in the Ozarks there are pieces of cords that were wrapped with feathers in total, down and all, these must have been very beautiful considereing that the Carolina Parkeet was still around. Best to All, Tom
Hi. I saw a reference in one of these posts to yaupon holly. I’m no horticulturist but I live on the Outer Banks of NC and there is a ton of yaupon that grows wild here. We are told that when the first british explorers came the native americans here gave them, among other delicacies, yaupon tea. I don’t know if it is a different derivative but will try to do some genuine research on this plant and post again.
I have great info about Yaupon for you! I am going to quote from “Wildflowers of the Outer Banks” published by Univ of NC Press in 1980 and put out by the local Dunes of Dare Garden Club. This is from pg. 104:
Yaupon, Ilex Vomitoria Aiton – Holly
“Shrub or small tree, 5 to 15 feet tall, admired by early colonists…male and female plants have nunmerous root shoots. Bark has thin red-brown scales. Leaves small, evergreen, wavy-edged, oblong, leathery, alternate. Drought and salt resistant. Flowers small, greenish white. Fruit, clear red, provides winter food for birds. Tea brewed from dried leaves contains caffeine. Maritime forests, protected bay areas. ABUNDANT from Duck to Hatteras. March-May, October-November.” Hope that is helpful for those who may be nearer Outer Banks than VA. I have a question of my own: I am thinking of doing some painting on deerskin/elk hide, etc. Are there local berries/roots I could use for some of the different colors? I have so much to learn and also am humbled and grateful for all everyone has to share. Aho, Eve
A good source of inks would be the berries from Poke weed. You know like poke salad. The berries are very inky and stain well. Pucoon root, yellow and red, are good sources for those colors. Good juicy fresh grass can get a good green stain/paint out of it. Just get a pestal and mortor cut some grass and pound it into a thick paste. After applied then brush off when dried. Various berries are excellent sources for colours and stains. The pollon covered staymins of various flowers can produce extra ordinary colors depending on the flower. Various clays can also produce some good colors and tones.
hey eve thanks for the description.
you live in the area known as the “northern border” for Yaupon. im 250 miles north of you. if you have an opportunity to either collect seed, or take some small saps, we can work out a trade. Their not hard to find, just not easy to get unless you live there. nurserys etc dont carry them as ornamentals. thanks
Hello All, well we have had our last snow fall!? We had about 2 feet and pretty cold.
Now all the trees have budded out and the grass is growing, it’s time to think about those sweetgrass braids that I had offered last fall.
When it’s ready I’ll post how many braids I have and whoever wants some please reply. Keep in mind a return in trade or just postage is fine.
I’ll post how many are available in each posting, if I run out between postings so watch for it. Best to all, Tom.
Mecou,
Tom I would like to get a braid of sweet grass. Please let me know how to send you money to get one. Thanks
Cotton Top
Also my e-mail is saponi12@earthlink.net
Bila huk oho!
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