July 5 2009 Maniwiigwaase

Maniwiigwaase
Birch is the name of any tree of the genus Betula (pronounced /ˈbɛtjʊlə/ Bé-tu-la),[1] in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae.The bark of all birches is characteristically marked with long horizontal lenticels, and often separates into thin papery plates, especially upon the Paper Birch. It is practically imperishable, due to the resinous oil which it contains. Its decided color gives the common names Red, White, Black, Silver and Yellow to different species.

Mazinibaganjigan (plural: mazinibaganjiganan) is an ancient folk art made by the Ojibwa (Anishinaabe) by biting down on small pieces of Birch bark to form intricate designs. In some areas, it is also known as ozhibaganjigan(-an). Using the eye teeth to bite, the bite pressures can either pierce the bark pieces into a lace or just make certain areas thinner to allow for light to pass through. If the bark piece is carefully folded, symmetrical designs can also be made onto it. Many of the designs that are used contain symbological and religious significance to the Ojibwa. Though the practice almost died out, there are an estimated dozen practitioners left in Canada and the United States, some of whom display the craft in contexts outside of their original intentions to show evidence of this ancient practice. Birch bark bitings can be used in storytelling, as patterns for quillwork and beadwork, as well as finished pieces of art. Birch bark can be removed fairly easily from the trunk or branches, living or recently dead, by cutting a slit lengthwise through the bark and pulling or prying it away from the wood. The best time for collection is spring or early summer, as the bark is of better quality and most easily removed.

Removing the outer (light) layer of bark from the trunk of a living tree may not kill it, but probably weakens it and makes it more prone to infections. Removal of the inner (dark) layer, the phloem, kills the tree by preventing the flow of sap to the roots.Birch bark was a valuable construction material in any part of the world where birch trees were available. Containers like wrappings, bags, baskets, boxes, or quivers were made by most societies well before pottery was invented. Other uses include:

In North America, the native population used birch bark for canoes, wigwams, scrolls, ritual art (birch bark biting), maps (including the oldest maps of North America[citation needed]), torches, fans, musical instruments, clothing, and more. In Scandinavia and Finland, it was used as the substratum of sod roofs, for making boxes, casks and buckets, fishing implements, and shoes (as used by the Egtved Girl), etc..
In Russia, many birch bark documents have survived from the Middle Ages. In the Indian civilisation birch-bark, along with dried palm leaves, replaced parchment as the primary writing medium. The oldest known Buddhist manuscripts (some of the Gandharan Buddhist Texts), from Afghanistan, were written on birch bark.Birch bark also makes an outstanding tinder, as the inner layers will stay dry even through heavy rainstorms. To render birch bark useless as tinder, it must be soaked for an extended period.

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• Maniwiigwaase

[TheTribeOfBenjamin]

very cool. Is spring the best time to insure this bark peels the easiest? thanks

[judgekongo187]

@TheTribeOfBenjamin , when its hot out usually, in the vid we went out bout 5 ish, but it was still in the high 80's when we did this.

[dawnshag72]

This is really awesome! Does the bark grow back?

[judgekongo187]

No. That is why you carefully pick and only take as much as you need.You have to make sure you don't damage the under layer. That layer still protects the tree and help facilitate it's energy production. Good question!

[jamesonbobby4]

I like this a lot 187, a whole lot. I don't know why, I just like this. Thanks, bobby

[judgekongo187]

Thanks Bobby.That's why we're doin this.I'm glad you like it!!!

[robinandchenoah]

My teacher showed me this in class. Ty!

[nancyannhorner]

cool!! def keep posting! love it!