An Ethnobotany of Firewood in Osage Big Moon Peyotism: Practical knowledge, ritual participation, and aesthetic preference
Ethnobotany Research and Applications August 24, 2014 Daniel C. Swan, Lauren M. Simons 3 citations
Firewood plays a central role in the all-night ceremonies of the Big Moon Peyote Religion among the Osage community in northeastern Oklahoma. The selection and preparation of wood for the ritual fire involves botanical knowledge, ceremonial experience, and aesthetic preferences to meet specific criteria. Beyond its practical function, firewood carries sacred properties that extend spiritual benefits and strengthen social relationships within the broader Osage community. The article describes how these practices incorporate traditional knowledge and cultural values.