Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Cathedral Grove

Cathedral Grove, asub Kanada lääne rannikul, Victoria Saarel, British Columbia osariigis. Seal pärismaalased pidasid neid suuri "douglas fir" puid, mis olid mitmed sajandid aastad vanad, pühaks. Olid ka väga tarbelikud puud, kuna nendest tehti paate, maju, riideid ja nn 'totem poles" ka. Nende kohta lisan ka pisi kirjelduse inglise keeles. "Our Big Tree Heritage Cathedral Grove is a rare and endangered remnant of an ancient Douglas fir ecosystem on Vancouver Island in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The biggest trees in the Grove are about 800 years old and measure 75 m (250 ft) in height and 9 m (29 ft) in circumference. They are the survivors of a forest fire that ravaged the area some 350 years ago and the even more devastating invasion by Europeans who colonized Vancouver Island from 1849. Although spiritual in meaning, "Cathedral Grove" is a name embedded in a romantic and Eurocentric attitude toward BC nature that does not adequately acknowledge the stewardship of the indigenous peoples, First Nations, who cared for this biological treasure over 1000s of years and preserved it as a big tree heritage for all human beings (right). The ancient red cedar (Thuja plicata) specimen that survives in Cathedral Grove (right) represents a critical species to First Nations. In her book "Cedar, Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians," Hilary Stewart describes how the indigenous way of life is dependent on big cedar trees:" "For 1000s of years these people developed the tools and technologies to fell the giant cedars that grew in profusion. They used the rot resistant wood for graceful dugout canoes to travel the coastal waters, massive post and beam houses in which to live, steambent boxes for storage, monumental carved poles to declare their lineage and dramatic dance masks to evoke the spirit world. Every part of the cedar had a use. The versatile inner bark they wove into intricately patterned mats and baskets, plied into rope and processed to make the soft, warm, yet water repellent clothing so well suited to the raincoast. Tough but flexible withes made lashing and heavy duty rope. The roots they wove into watertight baskets embellished with strong designs. For all these gifts, the Northwest Coast peoples held the cedar and its spirit in high regard, believing deeply in its healing and spiritual powers. Respectfully, they addressed the cedar as Long Life Maker, Life Giver and Healing Woman." http://www.cathedralgrove.eu/text/01-Cathedral-Grove-1.htm

15 August, 2011

Reet Mae

Этим выбором автор отдает фотографию в свободное использование на условиях лицензии Creative Commons 3.0. Снимок можно использовать бесплатно в некоммерческих целях и соссылкой на автора.

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