It is well-established that Native American tobacco was a major part of men’s daily lives through smoking in the sweat house, and prayers for good luck in hunting and gambling. Likewise, it was central to doctoring, primarily by women suck-doctors and was used in several ceremonies. Honoring and respecting the natural world began with the First-Salmon Ceremony which Hupa, Karuk, and Yurok tribes still practice. The pinnacle of ceremonies is the World Renewal Ceremony. California’s Northwestern Coast tribes are unique in having world renewal ceremonies, and this approach carries into everyday life in which there is no sharp separation, as most aspects of life have a spiritual dimension. Among the Karuk, tobacco was also the name of an immortal: “a. Oriv ixkareya (o= tobacco with seeds) was living with his small boy brother Oriv mucha (= Oriv younger brother).”[1]
The tobacco basket was in earlier times, the primary way to store and travel with Indian tobacco. “In practically every house in the old times there was to be seen hanging one or more of the tobacco storage baskets.”[2] The lid is tied down with brain-tanned deer hide to keep the tobacco dry. In general, great care is taken when weaving baskets, and in carving pipes. The earliest tobacco baskets lacked overlay design, but beautiful design became increasingly characteristic of tobacco baskets, especially those woven to sell. In recent times, tobacco baskets have shifted to mark Native American identities and as protective charms. Indian tobacco was a vehicle to reach the first spirit beings and to assure one’s well-being through fixing and prayer.
[1] John Harrington, Tobacco among the Karuk Indians of California, 1932, 302, 375.
[2] Op cit., 104.