Black drink facts for kids

Chief Saturiwa getting his warriors ready for battle. This picture is from an old engraving.

The Black drink is a special kind of drink made by some Native American groups. These groups live in the Southeastern United States. They used it for important ceremonies to help purify themselves. Sometimes, it was even called the white drink. This was because the color white was linked to peace leaders in some Native cultures.

The way the Black drink was made and used could be different for each tribe. A main ingredient was the roasted leaves and stems of a plant called Ilex vomitoria. This plant is also known as yaupon holly. It grows naturally along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The Black drink often included other herbs that could make a person throw up. This was part of the purification process.

Who Used the Black Drink?

Many different Native American tribes in the Southeastern United States used the Black drink. These included the Yuchi, Caddo, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Choctaw, and Muscogee peoples. They used it in their traditional purification ceremonies. These ceremonies were very important for their spiritual lives.

What is Yaupon Holly?

The main plant used to make the Black drink is called yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). It is a type of holly plant. It grows as a large shrub or a small tree. It is the only plant native to North America that contains caffeine. This is the same stimulant found in coffee and tea.

How Was it Prepared?

To make the Black drink, people would roast the leaves and stems of the yaupon holly plant. They would roast them until they turned dark. Then, they would boil these roasted parts in water. This process created a dark, strong tea. Sometimes, other herbs were added to the drink. These herbs were often chosen for their ability to cause vomiting. This was seen as a way to cleanse the body and spirit.

Why Was it Used?

The Black drink was used for purification ceremonies. These ceremonies were important for spiritual cleansing. People believed that drinking it helped them become pure. This purification was needed before important events. These events could include religious ceremonies, council meetings, or even going to war. The act of vomiting was a key part of this cleansing. It was believed to remove impurities from the body.

Images for kids

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  Preparing Black Drink, an old engraving from 1723.

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  A picture of the Yaupon holly plant.

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  A map showing where the Black drink was used by Native American tribes. This was before many tribes were moved in the 1800s.

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  A special ceramic cup from Cahokia with a woodhenge design.

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  An engraved conch shell cup found at Spiro Mounds.