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September begins the Kalapuya New Year. Prairie burning commences
for tarweed seed harvesting while groups are living in summer
camps throughout the Willamette Valley to harvest acorns,
berries and camas roots.
October is the month when Hair (leaves) Falls Off. While Kalapuya
camps in the northern Willamette Valley relocate near lakes
to begin wapato harvest, southern valley camp residents complete
camas harvesting.
November is Approaching Winter and the Kalapuya people prepare
their winter village homes.
December is Good month when people are settling into winter
villages before the hard winter weather arrives.
January is the month of Burned Breasts because senior Kalapuyas
singe their chests by sitting too close to the continual inside
fires to overcome the cold temperatures outside. The winter
dances are beginning.
February is Out of Provision month because food supplies are
running short although hunters are trying to replenish the
supply with fresh game.
March is First Spring as people begin short camping trips
to gather food, especially the fresh shoots of camas.
April, Budding month, is the time when the Kalapuya make more
extensive trips to the Willamette Valley floor to gather camas
roots.
May is Flower Time because the camas is in full blossom while
the people exit the winter home to begin summer camps. Salmon
have begun their annual run up the Willamette River and tributaries.
June is Camas Harvest as women begin their three-month-long
role to gather bulbs from the fully ripe camas and dry them
for winter food. Fish and berries are also plentiful to glean
and preserve.
July is Half Summer-Time and the Kalapuya collect caterpillars
and hazelnuts during the hot, dry weather.
August represents End Of Summer while the people continue
to gather berries, nuts and roots in preparation for winter.
Bibliography:
Historic Marion, Winter 1996 issue, Marion County Historical
Society, Salem Public Library, Salem, OR.
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