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Basswood fiber

Copyright Minnesota Historical Society Collections

Description:
Basswood strip fiber is used to tie unripe wild rice plants before harvest. Threaded onto the unraveled end of the ball of basswood fiber are two birchbark loops. The loops would be sewn to an Ojibwa woman's blouse front and the basswood strip passed over her shoulder and through the loops so the woman could tie rice plants without a partner. Used in assembling a winnowing basket and for tying rice.
1504

The Ojibwe People's Dictionary is developed and maintained by:
Nora Livesay, Editor
John D. Nichols, Founder and Linguistic Editor

with support and collaboration from the University of Minnesota's Department of American Indian Studies and University Libraries.

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