Penobscot Indian Native American Root Club
Senabeh; A Penobscot carver accredited with preserving traditional techniques and incorporating traditional designs on root clubs. Senabeh was born on Indian Island in 1914 and passed away in 1980. Senabeh was a Shaman, Medicine Man, and one of the few Penobscot’s in the 1960′-1970’s that knew Penobscot culture, language, and history. Senabeh is credited with keeping the root clubs, chip carving tradition alive as he taught others the tradition during the mid 1920′-1970’s. In 1979 I was on my way to Bar Harbor, MA. When I noticed an Indian Curiosity Shop, named the Indian Den, in Searsport, MA. This is where I noticed hanging on the wall a root club; which I found to be quite extraordinary. At the time I was acquiring a collection of Southwestern Indian Crafts. Joseph Lonewolf, Tony Da, Martinez, etc. This was my first exposure to Penobscot. It has been in a display case in a temperature-controlled and odor free studio and is in its original perfect condition as at the time of my acquisition. Dimensions: L-28.25″; Circumference Top of shaft-6″; bottom of shaft-4.25″; head ball-13.25″.