Sacred Texts Native American California Index Previous Next
The Culture of the Luiseño Indians, by Philip Stedman Sparkman, [1908], at sacred-texts.com
The wood most used for fire making is that of Baccharis Douglasii. A flat stick of this, as dry as possible, is obtained and a shallow hole made in it, from which a small notch is cut to the edge of the stick. The drill, a short piece of wood with the lower end trimmed to fit the hole, is then placed in it and twirled rapidly between the palms with a downward pressure. This causes a fine dust to be ground from the stick. This dust runs out to one side through the notch, and if conditions are favorable, after a time ignites, no tinder being used. But if the wood is not thoroughly dry, or if the air is moist, it is exceedingly difficult to kindle a fire by this method.