Brooke Martin
Candles are thought to have originated in the Bronze Age, with ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese using them within the first millennium BC. While there is limited evidence of candle usage in pre-Columbian America, some native communities in North America used the pine knot or candle-wood method for lighting, as well as oil extracted from a local fish called the Eulachon, or candlefish. After European settlement, beeswax candles and those made from boiled bayberries became more common among Native Americans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of lamps | Lamps were used in pre-Columbian America by the Inuit and the people of the northwest coast. |
| Use of candles | Candles were not widely used in pre-Columbian America, except for by the Inuit and the people of the northwest coast. |
| Introduction of candles | Candles were introduced by the Spanish in at least one pre-Columbian Indian culture. |
| Sources of wax | Native Americans used wax from boiled bayberries, beeswax, and oil from a local fish called the Eulachon or "candlefish". |
| Sources of light | Before the introduction of candles, Native Americans used pine knots or candle-wood for light. |
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What You'll Learn
- Native Americans used oil from a fish called candlefish for illumination
- Beeswax candles were used by Native Americans, but in limited quantities
- Wax from boiled bayberries was used by Native Americans to make candles
- The Inuit used lamps known as Kudlik
- Candles were introduced to Native Americans by the Spanish
Native Americans used oil from a fish called candlefish for illumination
Candles and lamps were introduced to Native Americans by the Spanish, according to a 17th-century source. There is little evidence of pre-Columbian America using candles or lamps, apart from the Inuit and the candlefish on the northwest coast.
The candlefish, also known as eulachon (Thaleichtyys pacificus), is a small, anadromous species of smelt that spawns in some of the major river systems along the Pacific coast of North America, from northern California to Alaska. The name "candlefish" comes from the fact that it is so fatty during spawning—with up to 15% of its total body weight in fat—that if caught, dried, and strung on a wick, it can be burned as a candle. The fish is also known as halimotkw, often translated as "savior fish" or "salvation fish". The eulachon is an important food source for indigenous communities along the Pacific Coast, from California to Alaska. It is also a valuable trade item with peoples whose territories do not include spawning rivers.
The oil from the eulachon, also known as "eulachon grease", was traded with inland communities, and the trails over which the trade was conducted became known as "'grease trails'". The grease is rich in vitamin A and a significant source of vitamins E, K, and fatty acids. It is also used as a topical treatment for skin conditions and as a laxative.
To create a source of illumination, the locals simply inserted a wick into a dried candlefish and lit it. There are videos of people lighting the fish in this manner.
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Beeswax candles were used by Native Americans, but in limited quantities
Beeswax candles were used by Native Americans, but only in limited quantities. Beeswax candles were expensive and were therefore restricted to the wealthy in Europe. In America, beeswax was not native and so was only available through trade ships from eastern American ports or those that had wrecked along the Pacific northwest coast.
The history of candle-making has evolved over time, with different materials being used to make candles in various regions. In Europe, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax from the Roman period until the modern era. Tallow was produced using animal fat and had a foul odour, especially when burning. Beeswax, on the other hand, burned pure and clean, emitting a pleasant sweet smell. As a result, it was the preferred substance for candle-making, but its use was limited due to the cost.
Native Americans had limited access to beeswax and primarily relied on other sources of light such as lamps and torches. Resinous torches of pinewood (ocotl) were used indoors, while outdoors, links and huge braziers piled with resinous wood were used for public lighting during religious ceremonies or other special circumstances.
In the early 1800s, tallow stopped being used in favour of beeswax and paraffin wax. However, even with the introduction of these new materials, the popularity of candles began to diminish with the introduction of electricity. Today, candles are mostly used for luxury and pleasure rather than for light or heat.
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Wax from boiled bayberries was used by Native Americans to make candles
While candles were used in the Old World since the Palaeolithic era and in the Americas by the Inuit and the northwest coast peoples before the arrival of Columbus, there is little evidence of candle usage in pre-Columbian America. Candles were introduced to the Americas by the Spanish, and it is believed that Native Americans began using bayberries to make candles.
Bayberries, also known as wax myrtle, are native plants that grow from Maryland southwards to Florida and westward to Texas. The Morella inodora, or scentless bayberry, grows from Georgia to Louisiana and southwards to Florida. The outlier, M. californica, is the California wax myrtle, which grows from southern California through Oregon and into Washington. The berries of these waxy species are covered in a grayish-white waxy substance.
To make candles, the berries are boiled in water, causing the wax to float to the surface, where it is skimmed off and transferred to another pot for refining. The wax is then reheated and strained through two layers of cheesecloth to remove any debris. Finally, the wax is strained into a mould to cool and harden, with a wick added to form a candle.
Bayberry candles are fragrant and burn slowly without smoke. They are also said to bring prosperity and good luck to a household. The wax is harder and more brittle than beeswax, and bayberry candles are considered to be of higher quality than those made with tallow, which was commonly used in the 1600s and 1700s.
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The Inuit used lamps known as Kudlik
Candles and lamps have been used for light and heat for thousands of years. While candles are thought to have originated in the Bronze Age, there is little evidence of their use in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus. Apart from the Inuit and the use of candlefish on the northwest coast, there are few references to candles or lamps in early America.
The qulliq was the most important article of furniture for the Inuit in their dwellings. It was used for illuminating and heating their tents, semi-subterranean houses, and igloos, as well as for melting snow, cooking, and drying clothes. In Inuit religion, the story of the Sun and the Moon involves the Sun carrying a qulliq oil lamp. The qulliq was also used in a New Year or Quviasukvik tradition in which three lamps were extinguished and relit during the first sunrise.
To light the lamp, the Inuit would use a bow drill or two flint stones to create a spark before the introduction of matches. The lamp required constant attention and trimming to ensure the flame was the right height, didn't produce smoke, and didn't go out.
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Candles were introduced to Native Americans by the Spanish
Candles are thought to have originated in the Bronze Age, with ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese using them within the 1st millennium BC. However, there is limited evidence of candle usage in pre-Columbian America. While lamps were used in the Arctic, and the Inuit and people of the northwest coast used a local fish called the Eulachon or "candlefish" as a source of light, there are few references to candles among other Native American groups prior to the arrival of Columbus.
One source from the early 17th century mentions that in at least one pre-Columbian Indian culture, candles and lamps were introduced by the Spanish. This aligns with the arrival of the original European settlers in the New World, who brought a limited supply of candles with them. As candle merchants were scarce and expensive, settlers often had to make their own candles. They turned to Native Americans for alternative sources of light, and Native Americans willingly shared their knowledge of the pine knot or candle-wood, a quick and inexpensive method of lighting.
Native Americans also learned to use beeswax for candles, although the number of candles made from this wax was limited, even when a farmer had several hives. Soon after the first European arrivals settled along the American coast, they discovered bayberry shrubs, which produced a pleasant-smelling wax that gave off little smoke, did not melt in the summer, and burned well. This wax was made from boiled bayberries.
While candles were introduced to Native Americans by the Spanish, the specific timeline of this introduction is unclear. However, it likely occurred around the time of the first European settlements in the New World.
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Frequently asked questions
Native Americans from the Northwest Coast used a local fish called the eulachon, or candlefish, as a source of light. The fish contains a lot of oil, and locals would insert a wick into a dried fish and light it. There is no evidence of candles or lamps being used by pre-Columbian Native Americans.
Native Americans developed a quick and inexpensive method of lighting their world using the pine knot or candle-wood. They also used beeswax candles, which were in limited supply.
Native Americans used resinous torches of pinewood (ocotl) for indoor lighting. Huge braziers piled with resinous wood were used for public lighting during religious ceremonies.
The original European settlers in the New World brought a limited supply of candles. As candle merchants were few and far between, most settlers had to mould their own.
