Abstract
All 17 species of conifers (and one taxad) occurring within the traditional territories of the Thompson and Lillooet Interior Salish of British Columbia are known to these peoples and named by them at a restricted level. Of moderate to high cultural significance, most were used many ways in traditional life. Uses included: food—seeds, inner bark, sugar, pitch (for chewing), and boughs (for making beverages); technology—wood for construction and fuel, bark for construction, fibrous materials for weaving, resins for glue and caulking, and, of prime significance, boughs as scents and cleansing agents; and medicine-primarily as tonics, and as remedies for respiratory ailments, stomach and digestive disorders, eye problems, and dermatological complaints. The use of the boughs as scents and agents for cleanliness also made conifers very important in religious and spiritual rituals. Some were also featured in mythology. Thompson and Lillooet peoples continue to use conifers, but to a more limited extent than in the past.
Résumé
L’ethnobotanie des conifères des Salish de l’intérieur de la Colombie Britannique de Thompson et Lillooet. Toutes les 17 espèces de conifères (et un taxad) qui se trouvent dans les territoires traditioneis des Salish de l’intérieur de Thompson et Lillooet, sont connues à ces peuples et sont nommées par eux à un niveau limité. De moyenne à grande importance culturelle, le plus grand nombre a été utilisée de plusiers façons dans la vie traditionelle. Les emplois comprennent: la nourriture —les graines, l’écorce intérieure, le sucre, la poix à mâcher, et les branches (pour faire les breuvages); la technologie: le bois pour la construction et chauffage, l’écorce pour la construction, les matières fibreuses pour le tissage, les résines pour la colle et le calfatage, et, de prime importance, les branches pour les essences et les produits de nettoyage; les médicaments—surtout pour les toniques, et pour les rémèdes contres les malaises respiratoires, les désordres alimentaires, les problèmes des yeux, et les maladies dermatologiques. L’emploi des branches pour les essences et les produits de nettoyage a aussi rendu important les conifères pour les rites réligieux et spirituels. Certains conifères sont aussi représentés dans la mythologie. Les Salish de Thompson et Lillooet continuent à utiliser les conifères aujourd’hui, mais d’une façon plus limitée qu’auparavant.
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Turner, N.J. Ethnobotany of coniferous trees in Thompson and Lillooet interior salish of British Columbia. Econ Bot 42, 177–194 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858918
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858918