There we were, in the middle of a field on a hot, sunny, day, in Castro Valley. Today is the Willow Harvest. We’re gathering willow and bay leaf for Granary Construction at Centerville Library.
People always think gathering willow is the first step. The first step is really opening yourself up to this tree, to greet it and give thanks and your own offering. To stay focused on your intent, the reason why you’re here, and hope your ancestors will help guide you.
Reopening Indigenous Foodways is like removing dams. It’s like reseeding meadows with native grasses. Stewarding land in a reciprocal cycle of never ending gifts. Of salmon. Ancient grains. Acorns. Berries. Rooreh.
Acorn Granaries are traditional storage devices made using the natural materials. Acorns are placed in sacks, in granaries and stored over winter.
But first, you need to meet this willow tree, give it offerings, and ask it to let you gather some of it’s wonderful reeds for your acorn basket.
Than, once you’ve gathered and cleaned the willow, you use the poles, sticks, and reeds to build the granary.
Once the willow was gathered, we packed the truck and walked farther in, towards the Land Lab, to gather bay leaf from the bay trees.
We use the bay leaf as integrated pest management. To keep the bugs out of the acorns, and keep them from eating the granary itself.
Standing under the Bay Laurel, you can smell the eucalyptol in the leaves. Where we stripped the willow of its leaves to use its reeds; the leaves are what we need from the Bay Laurel tree. They will be woven in and out of the willow frame of the Acorn Granary.
After gathering the materials for the granary, we gathered in the shade of an oak tree. Enjoying the rest, and taking the opportunity to get to know each other more.
Strangers in the beginning, they brought food to share. Avocados. Chips. Dip Sandwiches. Snacks. Water.
We were supposed to end at 12pm, but we ended up parting ways around 2pm. The willow and bay leaf were delivered to the construction site. Willow soaked in water.
In two days, we would build an acorn granary at the Mini Acorn Festival.