Rosaceae Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer

Saskatoon Serviceberry

Blackfoot - Other, Toys & Games

Use documented by:
Hellson, John C., 1974, Ethnobotany of the Blackfoot Indians, Ottawa. National Museums of Canada. Mercury Series, page 107

View all documented uses for Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer

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Scientific name: Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer
USDA symbol: AMALA (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Saskatoon Serviceberry
Family: Rosaceae
Family (APG): Rosaceae
Native American Tribe: Blackfoot
Use category: Other
Use sub-category: Toys & Games
Notes: Berries used in an harvesting game. Favors were asked while presenting a gift of four of the berries. The receiver was obliged to return the goodwill. Girls played a game while harvesting the berries. After some berries had been gathered the girls would sit together and hold their breath while another called out 'tops, tops, tops' at a regular beat. Each girl put a berry in her bag for every call and the one who held her breath the longest won all the other girls' berries.

RECRD: 4033 id: 2927

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