Mazinibaganjigan

Contemporary birch bark biting by Kelly Church (Odawa-Ojibwe)

Mazinibaganjigan (plural: mazinibaganjiganan) is an ancient folk art made by the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe), Cree and other Algonquian peoples who use birch bark, by biting down on small pieces of birch bark to form intricate designs.^[1] It is also known as mazinashkwemaganjigan(-an) (by Northwestern Ontario Ojibwe) and ozhibaganjigan(-an) (by Wisconsin Ojibwe). In English, this has been described either as "Birch bark bitings" or "Birch bark transparencies." Using the eyeteeth to bite, the bite pressures can either pierce the bark pieces into a lace or just make certain areas thinner to allow for light to pass through.^[2] If the bark piece is carefully folded, symmetrical designs can also be made onto it.^[3] Many of the designs that are used contain symbological and religious significance to the Ojibwa. Though the practice almost died out, there are an estimated dozen practitioners left in Canada and the United States, some of whom display the craft in contexts outside of their original intentions to show evidence of this ancient practice. Birch bark bitings can be used in storytelling, as patterns for quillwork and beadwork, as well as finished pieces of art.

See also

• Kelly Church – contemporary Odawa-Ojibwe birch bark biter
• Wiigwaasabak – Birch bark scrolls
• jiimaan – Canoe typically made using birch bark
• maniwiigwaasekomaan – Knife for harvesting birch bark
• wiigiwaam – Wigwam, typically made using birch bark
• wiigwaasi-makak – boxes and other containers made of birch bark
• wiigwaas-onaagan – dishes and trays made of birch bark

Notes

1. ^ The Canadian Encyclopedia: Birch Bark Biting
2. ^ Densmore, p. 184.
3. ^ Densmore, pp. 184-185.

References

• Frances Densmore, Chippewa Customs (1929, repr. 1979) ISBN 0873511425
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Birch Bark Biting

External links

• Half Moon Studios: The Ancient First Nation Art of Birch Bark Biting
• National Anthropological Archives: Birch bark transparency
• Birch Bark Biting
• The First Nations art of birch bark biting