Pellytaay (Sage) Bundle

This Pellytaay (Pel-ee-tay) (Sage) bundle is hand-harvested by an Indigenous-owned business on private land in the eastern mountains of California. Each bundle, approximately 4 inches in length, is hand-tied with natural white cotton.

Sage (Salvia apiana) has been revered for centuries for its spiritual cleansing and protective properties, used by many Indigenous communities. The Kumeyaay (Koo-meh-yai) of Southern California and Baja California call it Pellytaay and use it for spiritual cleansing and protection. The Chumash (Chooh-mash) of the southern and central coasts of California refer to Sage as Wey'wey (Way-kway) and use it in smudging rituals to purify spaces and connect with the sacred. The Lakota (Lah-koh-tah) of the Northern Plains refer to Sage as Pejihota (Peh-zhee-ho-tah) and use it in ceremonies to purify and offer prayers. In Diné (Di-neh) culture, located in the Four Corners region of the U.S. (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado), Sage is known as Ts'ah (Ts-ah) and is used in traditional healing and blessing ceremonies.

This Sage bundle is giving reparations, honoring the many ways Sage sustains and heals Indigenous communities across the world.

Additional Cultural Information:

• Kumeyaay means “those who face the water from a cliff,” symbolizing their proximity to coastal areas.
• Chumash means “bead maker” or “seashell people,” referring to their traditional craftsmanship and coastal origins.
• Lakota (Lakȟóta) means “allies” or “friends,” highlighting the importance of community and relationships within their culture.
• Diné means “the people,” a self-designation by the Navajo people, emphasizing their connection to their land and identity.