There are many different stories to tell each Thanksgiving.
For many indigenous peoples, especially Wampanoags, the holiday represents something very different from what is generally accepted.
Brian, Phillip and Darius are no less thankful for daily blessings than we are.
But there are many different stories to tell on Thanksgiving.
And there is room at the table for all of us.
Tags: hand tools, Plimoth Plantation, Wampanoag Indigenous Program
What are they doing in those photos?
Looks like they are burning the tree to “cut” it down. Native Americans didn’t have the large felling axes until the arrival of the Dutch and English, so to bring down large trees they were burned until they could no longer stand. A similar technique was used to make canoes; burn the inside of the log until the char could be scraped out with tools.
Is that clay packed around the trunk? to keep the fire from spreading up the tree by the bark?
Scroll down for reply, Steve-
PS Steve: Plimoth’s Wampanoag Program represents both pre and post European contact, so using hatchets is historically appropriate. Thanks.
Cheers, Rick!
Is there any attempt to steer the direction of the fall by directing the burn more to one side or the other?
Hi Steve–great question. I’m certain there’s a technique involved for controlled felling, but I want to speak with Darius before I answer. I’ll let you know what he says. Thanks.
Thanks for the reply, Zach. Scroll down for further details and a link to a mishoon in action.
Hi Ben–
Darius, Brian and Phillip are felling the white pine in the traditional Wampanoag way. The ring of clay about 4 feet up controls the fire. The best 20 feet will be used to make a mishoon, a dugout canoe. The new mishoon will be part of an exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC: http://nmai.si.edu/home/
Here’s a great video of a mishoon in action on the open ocean, from an historic trip made between Falmouth, MA and Martha’s Vineyard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtYEqHNmuXI
This is the first time that Darius had used this technique. He was “stoked” at how well things went. Rediscovering traditional methods of building and tool-use is one of the best things to come out of such endeavors!
Great job guys, awesome pictures! Looking forward to the rest of the project!
Isn’t it great Jenn? Your dad’s the best. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Another good post, Rick.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you at Plimoth Plantation and to all those who follow the blog.
John
Back at you John!
How interesting, I had no idea—
Nice job Rick.
What a great post, thanks Rick and thanks so much to Darius, Brian and Phillip.