Pipe, pipe cleaners

Name (French):	pipe, cure-pipe
Name (Innu):	ushpuakan-kashinikaia / ushpuakan-kashinikana
Date Collected:	1920-1930
Institutions:	University of Pennsylvania Museum
Catalog Number:	Top (left to right): 30-3-169; 30-3-170; 30-3-171; 30-3-172; 30-3-173; 30-3-174; Middle: 70-9-502; Bottom: 30-3-102 a-b
Place Made:	Labrador
Maker:
Collector:	Frank G. Speck

Description:

Wooden pipe with assorted caribou bone and antler pipe cleaners. The tobacco was tamped and removed from the bowl of the pipe by pipe cleaners. The pipe cleaners are made in various shapes and drilled at the end, possibly to use as fasteners for tobacco bags. Speck recorded the Naskapi word “(u)cpwa’gen” for pipe.” (Speck 1935/1977:226)

References:

For a discussion of the rite of smoking, refer to Speck, Naskapi (1935/1977:225-227).