Title

Akish

Contributor

Musée de la Civilisation (sharing)

Richard Ejinagosi Kistabish (description)

Roger Wylde (description)

Creator

Lena Nottaway

Subject

Hygiene

Tcitcic (baby)

Famille

Nottaway

Description

Sphagnum moss, about 40 inches in circumference.

In the old days, we were always on the move, especially in the woods. So we had to find a way to keep newborns safe and warm. We had to reproduce the feeling of security a baby had in its mother's womb. That's why, in addition to carrying the baby in the tikinagan, foam was placed in the baby's diaper. This way, the foam absorbed moisture and the baby didn't catch cold. The akish was also used for long canoe trips, or at bedtime, to keep baby dry at night. The feeling of security was important for the baby. It's important for him to be wrapped up, warm and dry.

Also used as a sanitary towel. Akish was dried in tree branches in spring and summer. The material was also worked by removing small pieces of wood from it.

Moss was also used to insulate houses, especially the sides of log cabins.

Format

Object

Caractéristiques du format

Length: 30 cm ; Width: 32 cm ; Height: 15 cm

Matériaux

Sphagnum moss

Date Created

1975

Actualité

Related to an exctinct practice

Titre antérieur

Diaper [Musée de la Civilisation]
Title changed because it was incorrect.

Access Rights

Open access

License

Protected by copyrights

Date Modified

2025-04-02

Identifier

MdlC75-1133

Source

https://collections.mcq.org/objets/10542