The Micmac people of yesterday survived off the land for many generations; it is this survival that helped them through the many hardships of living with the harsh Northeastern weather. They faced situations that we still continue to face today, just in a different format.
The personal hygiene of the Micmac people was instrumental in their normal day-to-day livelihood. The bodies were washed with plain water with some plants/herbs; the hair however was washed with juniper stems and the berries from the same tree were rubbed on the body as an insect repellant. The hygiene of the Micmac people was instrumental in the prevention of diseases that affect the body due to improper hygiene.
Animal fat/oil was another supplement that the Micmac people used widely, it was boiled down, stored and some of it was rubbed onto the body as a repellant to cold weather, rain and as an insect repellant also. The oil not only kept the hair shiny it also kept the skin moist. This fat/oil was plentiful, oil from the land and sea mammals, it was hunted on a daily basis for many different reasons.
Today, some oils from animals have medicinal purposes that are still widely used. This usage of the oils on the body was later utilized by the people from the Old World of Europe; it is more common in uses for babies or infants (petroleum jelly and baby oil). The ingredients may have changed, but the concept is still the same, to hydrate and moisturize the skin.
Many people whom don’t really know about Native people, recall Native Americans with their face painted. The real truth behind this fact is that Native people, especially Micmacs, only adorned face painting for ceremonial occasions and during times of mourning.
Many people inquire that Natives wear face paint in times of war; this is true, for two reasons. Reason one, to distinguish themselves from other brave warriors and to establish their personal character. Reason two, was to scare their opponent, psychological warfare (which is still used today in football, military, etc.).
Micmac people also distinguished themselves with ornaments from animals, birds, bone, shells and stone. Saqamaws (or chiefs in the Micmac language), would wear whole majestic birds of prey as a headdress to signify the power that they had acquired. Shells were fashioned into many ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets, and ear ornaments.
Body ornaments helped identify the status of the individual, hair also placed an important status as well. Women with single braids signified that they were single, men wore single braids also, one on each side to signify their single status as well.
The Micmac people of the past, present and future have held onto their beliefs through persistent pride throughout the many social hardships of the past and present. The ornamentation of the Micmac people has not changed much; today’s fashion statements are similar to the Micmac people of the past.
John Dennis is the cultural/community development director for the Aroostook Band of Micmacs.
