A global exploration of birch bark books and manuscripts

Abstract

Rooted in many cultures, birch trees have spanned continents and centuries, serving as more than just a material resource. In the Northern Hemisphere, birch bark has been indispensible--its resilience against water and decay making it valuable for building shelters, crafting canoes, and storing provisions. However, its significance extends beyond utility; various cultures have imprinted their stories, wisdom, and art upon its unique surface, transforming it into a vessel for the written word. This book embarks on an exploration of birch bark's multifaceted role in the world of manuscripts and books, inspired by a conservation project involving the delicate birch bark books of Simon Pokagon, a Potawatomi author and activist, as well as Kashmiri birch bark codices. The investigation unfolds into a collaboration among conservators and artists from diverse regions, including North America and South Asia. Globally, birch bark has its nuanced stories. In North America, Indigenous peoples, such as the Anishinaabe, used it for etching pictograms and making ceremonial scrolls, while European colonizers appropriated and commercialized its use. In South Asia, birch bark, a counterpart to palm leaf manuscripts, underwent unique preparation processes, highlighting cultural adaptations across geographies. A Global Exploration of Birch Bark Books and Manuscripts examines how different birch species infomred the adaptability of this resource, influenced by local environments and traditions. It also contemplates the modern challenges of birch forestry impacted by climate change and human activity, aligning cultural preservation with ecological sustainability. Readers are invited to appreciate birch bark's historical profundity, its role in literature and art, and the pressing need to conserve its legacy for future generations--Back cover.

Contents

Chapter 1. Birch bark in North America -- 1.1. Harvesting of birch bark and its uses in North America / Kelly Church -- 1.2. Use of wigwas for Indigenous North American written history / Blaire Morseau -- 1.3. North American birch bark book structures / Marieka Kaye, Oa Sjoblom -- Chapter 2. Birch bark and related materials in South Asia -- 2.1. Bhojpatr and Sanchi barks : manuscript materials from northeast India / Radha Pandey -- 2.2. Laminate structure of Kashmiri codex birch bark manuscript leaves : observations of structure and implications for condition and conservation treatment / Crystal Maitland -- 2.3. Observations on the structures and condition issues of South Asian birch bark scrolls and codices / Mary Hamilton French -- Chapter 3. Birch bark books and manuscripts in other parts of the world -- 3.1. Eastern Europe and North Asia / Oa Sjoblom -- 3.2. Nordic countries / Oa Sjoblom -- 3.3. East Asia / Marieka Kaye -- Chapter 4. Summary of global similarities and differences / Oa Sjoblom.