The Tobacco Bird

[Harry Crazington]

"How Flowers Fly"



The Humming Bird is the Tobacco Bird. In many Native cultures throughout the Americas, the Hummingbird has traditionally been associated with Tobacco plants as guardians and cultivators, earning them fame throughout the world and honourable names; Tobacco Birds, Medicine Birds, Doctor Birds, Birds of Magic, Rain Makers, LifeGivers, Suncatchers and more.
Wherever Tobacco grows the Hummingbird lives. These birds and the Tobacco plants are so related, that should the Tobacco plant die, so would the Hummingbird or vise versa. (We have already lost the knowledge carried on the wings of the Hummingbirds that are already extinct.) They share a soul with one and other. Both of these Spirit Beings, Tobacco and the Hummingbird, reside from the bottom most tip of South America, up to the State of Alaska and into the Yukon Territory of Canada, covering the entire lengths of North, Central, and South American continents. Many different Tribes have stories that tell how these beautiful birds help in the propagation and aid in the reproduction of Tobacco by transferring the pollen from plant to plant. They will even hunt harmful insects that might destroy the Tobacco plants, thereby acting as protectors of the Tobacco People. Many tribal stories recount for us, how the Hummingbird helped acquire for us, Tobacco seeds, from men that got greedy and tried to hoard and withhold the Tobacco plant, the plant made so sacred to all the Children of Earth, by their Father, Great Spirit. These evil beings did not want to share the Sacred knowledge they could acquire by using Tobacco in its proper way, with their brothers and sisters. In this way the "greedy beings" tried to make themselves more powerful and wealthier, than others, by with-holding Tobacco. Seeing this the Spirits of Air, Earth and Water, met to decide what should be done. Many attempted to defeat the "evil ones" to bring Tobacco for all to share. Many failed. It was through the cunning and speed of the good-hearted Hummingbird that we have the use of Tobacco today.
Many of our Tribal Elders and Storytellers have stories and knowledge of the Sacred Tobacco Bird. Ask them! Learn these stories so we might honour our feathered brothers and sisters, by remembering the gifts and lessons they give us.

For more interesting info click >> http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/1029/tobaccy.html


Painting by Del Ashkewe, 1992