Harvesting Heritages: The acorn Saga

Image Credit: Dave Muffly, Oaktopia.org

Article by David Arevalo, Education Coordinator for the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, writing for the Imperial Valley Press

In the greatly diverse landscape of Southern California and Northern Baja California, from the mountains and coastal plains. There exists a tradition passed down through generations of the Kumeyaay people. This ancient tradition centers on the harvesting of the acorn, to the Kumeyaay, the acorn was more than food; it was a staple of their identity and a reflection of their cultural heritage upon this landscape they call home.

Golden Acorns

Around fall, especially October and November, the Kumeyaay would travel to the mountains and build their encampments where they would gather acorns. One reason the acorn became a staple food for the Kumeyaay was that it was able to be stored for extended periods of time. This allowed them to store them in granaries for later use. These granaries were made of willow and were large in size. The baskets were then elevated above the ground, safeguarding the acorns from animals and the elements. Kumeyaay women would carry the baskets using a carrying net bag called a tumpline, which they wrapped around their foreheads. To protect their foreheads they would also wear basket caps.

From Bitter to Bliss

Acorns, unlike walnuts which can be consumed straight from the shell, require some careful preparation. This is due to their high concentration of tannic acid. This makes the acorns have a bitter taste and can cause some stomach discomfort if ingested. The process of preparing the acorn was long, but the Kumeyaay had mastered it. Using rocks as a hammerstone and an anvil, the shells were cracked open, thus revealing the nut. Once the shells were cracked, the next stage involved leaching out the tannic acid. This was a method that required time and patience. Water was used to soak the acorns and release the bitter coat. This process was repeated several times with fresh water used each time until the tannic acid was removed. This process showcases the adaptability of the Kumeyaay and their resourceful methods of surviving in their environment.

The next step was winnowing, a method where nuts are tossed into the air for the wind to blow away the skins as the nuts fell back into the basket. The remaining acorns were then toasted on a flat tray called "sawil", using hot stones or coals to enhance their flavor.

The main dish created using the acorn is Shawii. It's an acorn mush that is still made and consumed to this day. Water was added to the dough in a basket and was heated to make the mush. Leaves such as the California Bay leaf or mint leaves were added to the dough for seasoning.

Rooted In Lore

Beyond the harvesting of the acorn, this relationship perhaps can be explained through the origin stories of the land and its people. These Kumeyaay prose narratives help construct Kumeyaay culture, anchoring the people to the environment they reside in. An interesting story, "The Journey of the Sacred Trees" told by Kumeyaay Ofelia Muñoz. Many years ago, the Pine, the Pinyon, and the Oak Tree traveled from the mountains of the Rumorosa to the coast. As they traveled, they left their marks on the land until the Oak Tree was the only one remaining to ensure all Kumeyaay bands received the acorns they needed for food.

This tale helps to understand the relationship between the Kumeyaay and the land. We catch glimpses of the Kumeyaay understanding the importance of the acorn and how widened its presence, along with the significance that all Kumeyaay bands need the acorn to survive. Landscapes hold great importance in the development of culture, especially regarding source distribution. In this case, this is illustrated in the tale "The Journey of the Sacred Trees" as they symbolize the movement of these vital resources throughout Kumeyaay territory. The tale hints at the abundance of acorns available throughout the Kumeyaay landscape and how it can sustain all of the Kumeyaay bands. The knowledge of knowing when to harvest the acorn along with other vital resources has been preserved through generations, a practice that is part of the culture. These oral narratives not only tell the stories of the land but highlights the importance of this connection of the culture to its land.

The Imperial Valley Desert Museum is located in Ocotillo, California. It is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10 am - 4 pm.