OLD Willow Granary Basket 1910 PALA Historical PicturesThis California Pala Band of Mission Indians historical photo of a large Native American granary was titled "Pala, 1910," Pala Indian Reservation, San Diego County. The photographer and historical collection are yet to be identified for captioning purposes. The willow leaves and branches used in these types of food storage baskets contain SALICIN, a natural insect repellent, which helps repel hungry insects from entering the basket and feeding on the stored food, acorns, pine nuts, grains, aboriginal food items. This natural property "salicin" is why the California Indigenous peoples used willow in their natural food granaries and ancient Indian houses. The Kumeyaay and Luiseño California Indians would fill these willow granary baskets with seeds and acorns to store their food in, sometimes leaving the granary baskets behind as they traveled their lands between seasonal rounds to use when they returned to the area (and their food stores would not be infested with bugs). Miniature willow granaries and baskets are more common in today's Mission Indians basketry collections and Native American Indian stores, California Indian and Kumeyaay basket gift shops and museums, but authentic larger willow baskets may still be commissioned by today's working Kumeyaay basket weavers. Indigenous California Indians Baskets photo contributed by Shumup Ko Hup Indian store. Shumup Ko Hup also has a variety of small, medium and large tradition willow baskets for sale in San Diego and worldwide off their website.
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