The story of tobacco’s arrival among the Potawatomi people is steeped in tradition, spirituality, and a deep connection to the natural world. This narrative, passed down through generations, details not only the introduction of a new plant but also the sacred practices and beliefs that intertwined with its use. The tale unfolds long ago, when the Potawatomi still resided near the eastern ocean, close to their ancestral kin, the Delaware.
At the heart of this origin story is an old man, a respected member of the Potawatomi community. He possessed a profound dream, a vision that foretold the emergence of something extraordinary within a garden he meticulously cultivated in a nearby clearing. The dream carried a specific warning: no women were to approach this sacred space. To ensure compliance, the old man felled trees, strategically arranging them to create a natural barrier, a protective fence that shielded his garden from intrusion.
The old man’s actions did not go unnoticed. The villagers grew increasingly curious, their suspicions piqued by the secrecy surrounding the garden. Uncles and nephews playfully teased him, questioning the possibility of a harvest without any visible planting. Their taunts, initially lighthearted, gradually intensified, provoking the old man’s anger. He resolved to remain at home and diligently tend to his field, even as the rest of the village embarked on their annual summer hunt in July.
In time, despite the absence of planted seeds, plants began to sprout within the garden’s confines. The old man, unfamiliar with this new growth, carefully hoed and nurtured the plants, watching them flourish into strong, robust specimens. Eventually, a visiting Delaware, a member of the neighboring tribe, arrived. The old man proudly displayed his garden, explaining that the unique plants were a gift bestowed upon him through a vision sent by the Great Spirit.
The Delaware recognized the sacred herb immediately. "Why," he exclaimed, "My people also possess this sacred herb. One of our own dreamed of it, just as you did." Intrigued, the Potawatomi man inquired about its use.
The Delaware replied with wisdom and respect for the Great Spirit’s guidance. "My grandson," he said, "If this was indeed a gift to you from the Great Spirit, you ought to be shown its purpose. You should receive guidance on its use directly from the Great Spirit. However, if that knowledge does not come by fall, visit me, and I will share how we utilize ours."
The old man was left more perplexed than before. He decided to embark on a fast, seeking clarity and understanding from the Great Spirit. After two days of abstinence, the Great Spirit appeared to him, revealing the plant’s intended purpose. He was instructed to gather the leaves, dry them, and use them for prayer, to burn them as incense in the fire, and to smoke them in a pipe. Tobacco, he was told, should be the central offering at every feast and sacrifice. This sacred herb and the practices associated with it were to become integral to their spiritual lives.
Following this transformative dream, the old man ventured to a place near the sea, where he discovered a hill of soft, black stone. He carefully broke off a long, rectangular piece, intending to fashion a pipe. The process proved challenging, and he sought assistance from his Delaware friend. Together, they crafted a pipe stem from wood. By this time, the Delaware recognized that his Potawatomi friend had indeed learned the significance of tobacco. He retrieved his own pipe, filled it with tobacco from his pouch, lit it, and passed it to his Potawatomi friend.
The Potawatomi man laughed, acknowledging his newfound understanding. "I intend to smoke," he said, "but I certainly did not understand before." With newfound purpose, the Potawatomi man enlisted his wife’s help. She sewed a buckskin wrapper around the pipe stem and crafted a tobacco pouch. He then harvested and dried his tobacco, preparing it for its sacred role.
As the hunters returned from their summer expedition, the villagers eagerly gathered to witness the mysterious garden’s yield. They were astonished by the peculiar appearance and the strong taste of the broad leaves. No one knew what to call this unfamiliar plant. The old man noticed that people had been taking leaves from the garden and requested the chief’s intervention to prevent further unauthorized access. The chief, respecting the old man’s age and wisdom, personally announced throughout the village that the garden was off-limits. "Wait until he is ready to tell us about it," he ordered, emphasizing the importance of respecting the old man’s wishes.
The Origin of Tobacco, the mystery, and the respect for the old man’s vision.
One day, the old man hosted a feast, seating the chief on his left as a sign of honor. "I am grateful that you have all been quiet about my garden and have respected my wishes," he began. "You all know that it was impossible for me to create this herb, and that it is a gift from the Creator because I did not plant it. We all believe what is given to us in our dreams, and this was given to me in a dream."
He continued, "I dreamed that something was going to grow where I had burned and cleared the earth for a garden, so I fenced it off as though something sacred was there. That was to keep the women away from it, because you know they usually tend the gardens. I fasted for another vision to know how to use this plant, and then the Great Spirit appeared and told me how to use this herb in sacrifices, and to place it in the fire and smoke it. I give this feast in honor of the new blessing that is to be with us now for all our lives."
The chief rose to his feet, expressing gratitude to the old man for his faithfulness to his dreams. "My people, always remember this man, Wakusha the Fox of the Fox clan, who obtained this gift for us. Now I will burn the tobacco, and we will all pray for him. He brought it here, and he will divide it among you all. I want you all to take it and use it when you are hunting. Put it in the fire and tell Our Grandfather the fire where you are going and for how long. Never leave without telling Our Grandfather these things, and pray to the Great Spirit."
The assembled people rejoiced, thanking the old man, Fox, for his role in bringing this new blessing to their community. They had heard of the Delaware’s sacred herb, but no one knew its identity until now. Fox rose once more, announcing his intention to distribute the seeds to everyone, instructing them to plant it far from the village, where women would not venture. They were also to erect a pole with leaves left at the top in the middle of the tobacco patch as a sign and a warning to the women to keep away from it.
Cedar leaves were burned, and the food was blessed by the chief. Everyone partook in the feast, expressing their gratitude to the Great Spirit for the gift of tobacco. Following the meal, a man stood up to offer his thanks to the Great Spirit, and each person approached the fire, squatting down to burn tobacco and offer prayers. When this ritual was complete, they thanked Fox again, celebrating the arrival of tobacco into their lives.
Fox then retrieved his tobacco bag, filled and lit his stone pipe, and declared, "This stone pipe I copied from that used by our Grandfather, the Delaware. I have mixed the tobacco with dried sumac leaves, just as he does." He passed the pipe around for all to see and smoke, and within days, everyone had crafted similar pipes from stone or wood.
From that time forward, the Indians incorporated smoking into their prayers. When the Whites arrived, they adopted the practice of smoking tobacco, but they never integrated it into their spiritual practices, deviating from its intended purpose as a gift from the Great Spirit to the Indian people. The Origin of Tobacco among the Potawatomi.
The Origin of Tobacco is therefore a story of faith, respect, and the enduring connection between humanity and the spiritual realm.