Timpsila “Prairie Turnip” Pendant

Being responsible with the resources we have been given is an important value we have at Jewelry by DeCory. We created this timpsila, or the prairie turnip, design to help us remember to appreciate the simple things in life we have been given, and to be resourceful with the gifts we get from our Creator. When you wear this timpsila pendant, we hope you will remember a simpler time when relying on the earth was an important way of life and when the fruit of your labor could be appreciated months in the future when the abundance of the harvest has dries up. We want the wearer to find deep connection with our pieces, whether they are local or not. Let the timpsila remind you of the importance that respect has played in keeping traditions and beliefs alive, and how vital it is to help us connect with past cultures to build a brighter future.

This starchy taproot is found four inches beneath the soil across most of the Great Plains. The roots were dug up using antlers or sticks, and then braided together and hung to dry to allow for long-term storage and made it easier to transport. The Lakota people then could grind it into flour or used it as is in soups. It was often eaten raw, and has a very simple taste like a potato. Most commonly it was used for wóžapi, or wojapi, a sweet berry sauce made from tart chokecherries or other seasonal fruit. Lakota people still make and eat wóžapi today and serve it mostly as jam with bread instead of the stew of their ancestors.