Engelse tekst<BR> Buffalo stone (einískim, Uhlenbeck and Van Gulik 1930:38; RMV 1935; i.nísskimmi); stone, paint; l. 3 cm., w. 3 cm., h. 2,5 cm.; ca. 1850-1880.<BR> <BR> Oddly shaped stones, including fossils of ammonites, were often picked up by Indians, and when they inspired positive thoughts and emotions were regarded as inhabited by supernatural powers. In such cases these stones were treated as spiritual objects. They were painted, fed, and kept reverently in a bundle or bag. Their powers were addressed by prayer when needed, such as before a man went on a hunt or the war path, or when a woman was about to give birth. Sometimes shamans used such magic stones to lure buffalo before a communal hunt was staged, the latter use mentioned in Uhlenbeck's letter to the Leiden museum (RMV 1935; Hungry Wolf 1977:169-171; Scriver 1990:178-179; Dempsey 2001:606-607). The buffalo stone from the Uhlenbeck collection shows remains of red paint.<BR> (Pieter Hovens 2008)