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Tobacco is sacred to most Native American
tribes. Its main purpose was for ceremonial, spiritual uses. The older men
of the tribe were the planters and caretakers of the tobacco crop. Young men
were discouraged from smoking for pleasure because it was known to slow men
down. The young men needed to be swift and sure during the hunt and during
battle. |
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Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara were the first to use many farming techniques
used today. No till farming and organic methods of pest control were used to
feed the soil. No till farming is when stubble is left in the field to hold
the soil from wind and water erosion. It also provides organic matter for
enriching the soil. To ensure that pests did not attack their crops the
women and girls would sit on a scaffold scaring away crows, raccoons and
deer that came to eat the crops. In order to keep their tools in good shape
they rubbed them with bear grease. The bear grease provided additional soil
nutrients. |
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"Guarding the Corn Field", by Capt. Seth Eastman, 1884. |
