Bacchus' Calumet

Wow. I am used to hysterical safety schmoes, and I am used to hysterical "Indigenous authenticity" schmoes, but seeing them combined into one super-hysterical post has amazed and excited me!
I wonder what your Lakota friends would say about wearing blue jeans and having electricity. Lsst time I was at Lakota Reservation I didn't see a lot of folks hunting buffalo with atlatls, but that has been 30 years or so, perhaps those folks have reverted to a more "authentic" lifestyle.

Hi Jonipinkney! Same for you: thanx for your comments. I never wanted to disrespect Lakota heritage or culture.
Therefore I decided to change the original title. I chose 'Counterfeit Calumet' to reflect the idea that it's not a traditional one.
I chose to use iron because I wanted a result corresponding to my artwork-style. I love the combination of iron & wood and my friend's love for Native American's culture inspired me to build something highly personal.
Hope this reply repairs the wounds or misunderstoods I might have created.

Bartolo, I like your work, and I appreciate your thoughts. I am Blackfoot and Onandaga. I think you should do this again, but use cedar as it is sacred. You can get Pipestone off the internet, as any proper chanupa should be made from this stone, as the stone represents the blood, horn and hide of the many buffalo that died in order to provide us the sacred stone. Furthermore, something you might want to know is Iron or man made metal cannot be used in most sacred ceremonies. If you are to have a sweat lodge at the wedding, it would be wrong to bring iron into the lodge. I think you have skills, and think that you could do an amazing job at making a proper chanupa. Awesome job!

If you get Pipestone on the internet please be careful and watch your source. Technically, the stone itself isn't sold, as it's sacred; instead you're reimbursing for the labor of getting the stone out of the ground. (Kind of like how Catholic relics and sacred items aren't supposed to be sold, but one may buy the medals or reliquaries in which they're housed, or make the suggested donation to the religious order which takes care of the relics.) And, since power tools are not to be used in harvesting the stone, there is significant labor involved and the laborer is worthy of his pay.

There's a lot of low quality Pipestone out there, harvested using power tools (jackhammers, backhoes, etc) from private non-native land near the Pipestone monument. It's mostly jasper, doesn't carve properly, and the energy is all wrong. It goes for very cheap, because it's low quality and harvested wrong.

If you want real Pipestone, get it from a real Native American and expect to pay a decent price - around 10.00 a pound -- for his hard work getting it out of the ground. Only Native Americans with proper documentation can get permits to dig the stone from the monument area where the true stone is found, and such a person would know to do it right, honoring all the proper traditions.

It's necessary to use all the proper traditions when dealing with Pipestone because it's very sacred. In fact some people prefer not to deal with it because -- and please forgive me for mixing cultural metaphors here, I know no other way to explain this -- Pipestone can accelerate one's karma.

Thanx Chielscher and Joni. I'm learning a lot from my own Ible ;-)

Knowing all that I won't buy any pipestone from the net. Somehow I feel having a debt and I'm willing to prove that it's possible to make a functional calumet in the spirit a calumet should be made.

I haven't any single Native American chromosome in my body so I'll never pretend having build a 'real' one. It will never be the goal also, but everyone can do the best he can.
I'm sure it's possible to make a pipe with local sources without the use of power tools. I'll call it a 'low-ecological-footprint-pipe' for example. Produced with only hand labour, without having killed and without having paid.

We'll meet again!

Yes, other materials are sometimes used to make the Pipe bowl, as long as the materials are natural. The Lakota (whose Pipe inspired yours) usually use stone, specifically Pipestone, but on occasion other types of stone (eg, soapstone) may be used.

Other Native nations have other ways of making Pipes, always using natural materials according to their traditions. Some use pottery, antler, etc. In every instance that People has a tradition of using that material, as well as traditional ways of building the pipe. I've even seen hardwood used, there's a certain kind of very hard wood that withstands the heat and is used by one People to make pipes.

Over on your side of the water fine pipes are made of meershaum, which is also a high quality stone rich in tradition. Also briar burl is used, which is of course a hardwood.

Meerschaum I know, although I never liked it - with some materials it 'glues' and with others it never won't ;-)
Briar burls I know either. More: a few months ago I digged a few of these burls out in the Pyrenees and these are drying now. Can't wait to start handling them!
Thanx for all the constructive comments, we'll keep in touch!

I'm with you jonipinkney, I am Lakota. I was raised, and tough the old ways. (Probably should following closer.) I feel offended when I hear the name Crazy Horse being so softly. feel it would be blasphemy to use a Calumet, or even a Calumet-inspired pipe for any thing that be associated with "beer and public nudity" i'd assume if this guy followed that Lakota life and was wanting association with the old ways, there would not be much "beer and public nudity" and he would use the Calumet in a good way. Not for this. remember that it is a gift and so is the smoke, don't abuse it.

I had a similar thought on seeing it. In the event peace doesn't ensue someone is going to have a serious weapon.

;-)

You're welcome, sharing is always a pleasure!

Thanx for your support, heartwarming to see that most members have seen the good side of this pipe, instead of searching ghosts...

You're welcome Triumphman. Let's say that our elderberry has the same caracteristics as your sumac. It has a soft center pithe as well that can be used in candles. This wood is also used by children to make small blowguns - so called 'pop'guns. Was, in fact. Now they're playing with X-box and Playstation...