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Bedding

CradleCedarbark, cattail, and tule mats used for bedding may have been padded underneath with hides but, if so, the hides don't remain at Ozette. Animal tissue other than bone and a little feather and hair, has disintegrated.

Women filled cedarbark pouches with cattail fluff for pillows. They wove blankets for warmth. Some of these were of yarn, made by binding cedarbark strings with wool or strips of birdskin that had downy feathers still attached. Of these materials, only the cedarbark strings have been preserved by the mudflow.

Eleven cradles of cedar bark came from one house at Ozette-a style like the cradles today's Makah elders slept in as babies. Cedarbark hoods protected the face from insects and light. Pounded cedar bark served as diapers. Suspended from a rafter, such cradles let babies be close to where women were working. They were rocked by a cord running from the cradle to the foot of a seated woman.


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All content for this exhibit is © Makah Cultural and Research Center.

The Community Museum is a project of community organizations and Tribes across the Olympic Peninsula, and the University of Washington.
Support for the project comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Preston, Gates and Ellis, LLP.