A Visit to the Seneca Indian Home of Ganagaro
While working on interacting with my local area and talking to clients, I happened by the Area State Park called Ganagaro.
This was the site of a Seneca Indian encampment. The Senecas are part of the Iroquois confederacy and were called the keepers of the Western Door. There are still a significant population of Seneca Indians in the area. You can learn more at this post if you are interested. http://victordirectory.com/history-of-victor-nythe...
One thing that was very important to the Senecas was their reverence for the land and the local flora. One such plant that was popular was nicknamed Oswego Tea http://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/oswego-tea/ (the Oswego indians are another tribe in the Iroquois confederacy) The common name is Bee Balm and is actually wild Bergamot. It tastes minty and makes a wonderfully tasty afternoon refreshment.
Hope you enjoyed my trip back in the history of my area.
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unfortunately bergamot is not my favourite taste. But most of the mints are. Aussie bush tucker is quite the thing here now.
I'm not overly fond of it in large doses. The Hummers love it and the Monarchs are attracted to the bright colors as well.
Thanks Labman for sharing, I love seeing and learning new things (as much as this is Old History) it is new to me. History has a lot to offer.
Thankyou.
I love chasing down the history of New York. I have read some fascinating stories about the Senecas. There is a monument in Letchworth State Park to the Seneca White "witch". A settler who married a Seneca (after her abduction) and became a Seneca medicine woman.
It doesn't take much to uncover some amazing history hey. This is one thing I love about travelling too, I remember when my Wife & I travelled to England to catch up with Rels, we had a personal guided tour form one of her uncles of Salisbury Cathedral, I could believe it was build on only 4foot of foundation but relies on the water table it sits on....
Now talking about Letchwoth State Park bring memories of some great hikes along the gorge there. Also, if memory serves correct, the Buffalo Histoical Museum in Delaware Park, Buffalo, has good information and exhibits about the Senecas.
There are many museums in the area with good information on the Senecas. There will be a new one at Ganagaro opening on October 3rd. Looking forward to the dedication ceremony.
The American Indians and Australian Aboriginals are the oldest cultures on earth. They survived so long and maintained their culture so well because they learned to live in harmony with the land as opposed to trying to bend it to their will. A lesson the rest of the world would do well to learn.
Thank you Labman.I love the taste of Bergamot. I never tasted on its own but it is mixed into the Lady Grey tea. It tastes delicately sophisticated but not minty to my taste. I never knew that Bergamot is such a beautiful flower.
I am sure it has a medicinal use in the Indian traditions. I will look into it and also into the website you recommended.Cheers
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Used to treat all sorts of "Womanly" problems. Relieves flatulence too.
Smooth muscle relaxant and antiseptic properties.
Bergamot also has some wonderful medicinal properties, and helps keep mosquitoes away :) Thanks for sharing, Craig!
Hadn't realized the mosquitoes don't like it but then Pennyroyal grows wild in my yard and that repels most of them. Seems to cut down on the June Bugs too.
The second link is to an herbal remedy site that goes into the medicinal uses of the herb.
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Is that anywhere near Salamanca, NY...??? we've been to a couple Seneca pow-wows up there...
Salamanca is a bit East of here.