Mississippian Smoking Ritual in the Southern Appalachian Region

North American Indians cultivated tobacco beginning in prehistory, often through great effort and for multiple reasons. Especially valued for its narcotic effects, however, tobacco was assigned sacred status and became a necessary component for any event with cultural or religious significance. As such, ritualistic tobacco use joined cult usage of other plants as Native American societies evolved throughout the Mississippian time period.

In Mississippian Smoking Ritual in the Southern Appala...