Bitternut Hickory

ONĘ́NǪGA:ˀ

Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Family: Sapindaceae

Native tree

Onę́nǫga:ˀ is used for many things. Our elders use Onę́nǫga:ˀ for walking sticks. The smooth wood feels good in the hand. More importantly, our elders draw strength from the wood and it enables them to move more easily.

We also use young Bitternut Hickories to make ceremonial rattles. Short sections of a sapling are cut green and hollowed out to make the hollow vessel of the rattle. A hole is made in the bottom of the hollow portion and a handle is pushed inside the hole. As the wood dries, it shrinks and grips the handle, making a tight seal.

Gayogohó:nǫˀ also make containers out of Onę́nǫga:ˀ wood. Only trees that produced food, like this Hickory, were considered safe for making items that would hold food. In the same way the shrinking green wood is used to make rattles, containers for food could be made with tight-fitting lids.