Page 8 Advertisements Column 2

Southland Times, Issue 21099, 3 June 1930, Page 8

17 hat is a Calumet? The calumet is the name given- by the French-Canadians to the famous peace-pipe of the North American Indians. When war ceases, the Redskins “bury the. hatchet” as a sign that all offensive weapons must be hidden from sight, and the calumet is passed in turn to each warrior seated round the camp fire. It is an object of great veneration and is smoked on all ceremonial occasions—at council meetings, conferences, funereal feasts and, strangely enough, on a declaration of war. But its special use is at. the conclusion of peace treaties. When a stranger enters the camp, he is immediately offered the pipe of peace as a mark of hospitality. If he accepts it, he shows that he harbours no ill-feeling, and is welcomed accordingly. The calumet is a reed-stem, generally about two-and-a-half feet in length, with a bowl of red pipestone. It is decorated with eagle’s feathers and human hair. Native tobacco, mixed with sumac leaves or willow bark, is generally smoked.