Hemeni
Maidem Kodom
2010
by Eric Whollem
copyright by the artist
Artist Stamps From Maidem Kodom
MICRONATION STAMPS CREATED IN HONOR OF THE MAIDU CULTURE
These faux postage stamps are from the artist's own imagined postal
service for the Concow Maidu. A 'micronation' is a made up country.
As such 'Maidem Kodom' does not exist as such in the real world. There
are numerous Maidu tribal groups that are recognized by the government,
or trying to be recognized. As artistic creations, these stamps are not by
any means intended to represent any of the authentic social structures
of the current Native Americans of Butte County, California.
CONCOW MAIDU TRADITIONS
stamps by Eric Whollem
'Maidem Kodom' translates as Land of the People or Country of the People.
These stamps are created with great respect and love for the traditions
of the Maidu, with whom I have interacted since the early 1970's, when
I began living at Black Earth Village in the Feather Falls area.
THE VIDEO BELOW
FEATURES MY EARTH PAINTINGS
ERIC WHOLLEM
THE HEMENI
Ralph Martin, one of the last native speakers on Mooretown Ridge,
is well known for having created a large Hemeni, or Roundhouse,
out of natural materials. This inspired the art seen on this stamp.
The Hemeni is used for traditional dances and for sacred games.
Among the Maidu the Grass Game is sacred. There is an old story
that tells us that the People (the Maidem) were taken captive by
the Old Man of the North. Oankoitupeh, a great hero, gambled with
the Old Man and won the people back.
Haikutwotopeh is the name of the Old Man of the North. He lived
at Mt. Shasta, which is called Kom by the Concow. 'Kom' means
'snow.'
Thus the Grass Game is a nucleus for social interaction--keeps the
People going as a group. It is very important culturally to the Maidu.
EARTH PAINTINGS
Back in 1973 I began making my own paints from natural earths,
charcoal and ash, using various glue binders. The art on this stamp
is made from pigments gathered in Butte County and a few other places
in Northern California.
The Maidu traditionally have used earth paints to paint their bodies in
their traditional dances. Acorn meal paint was used to paint their houses.
In the old days a green earth paint was traded across the valley by the
Concow. People went on foot over to the Coast Range, where barter
with other groups enhanced the enjoyment of life.
__________________
See more of my Earth Paintings on this link:
To read what I have to say about the Maidu Indians view this list of posts:
BELOW IS A VIDEO
THAT DEALS WITH
SPIRIT ANIMALS OF THE CONCOW MAIDU
MAIDEM KODOM STAMPS BY Eric Whollem
SHOWN BELOW ARE
SOME SAMPLE STAMPS
FROM MAIDEM KODOM
(Copyright by the artist)
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
YEPONI
HIPININGKODOM
MY ART THAT
RELATES TO CONCOW MAIDU
CULTURE IS SHOWN
ON THE VIDEO BELOW
ERIC WHOLLEM
And for a bit of information on Micronations check out Wikipedia:
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Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation of Maidem Kodom. Maidu Indians.
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