mes Bay. It did not
             penetrate into Pacific coast or Southwest cultures, where tubular pipes were
             preferred. Inter-tribal trading helped the practice of this particular ritual
             spread rapidly, because in order for peaceful trade relations to take place some
             form of ritual had to be observed. Respect for the sacred pipe ritual, as well
             as a gift exchange, was central to peaceful trade in North American culture.
             The whole sacred pipe ritual revolves around the pipe itself, and as the
             pipe passes around the circle, so passes the center of attention. Fundamental
             to the spiritual understanding of the ritual is the pairing of female and male
             powers which when combined, results in creation. The pipe itself consists of
             two parts; the bowl which is symbolically female, and the stem which is male.
             The pipe is potent only when the two components are fitted together, and for
             this reason it is only joined at the beginning of the ceremony, and its
             separation indicates the end of the ritual. With only a few exceptions, the
             pipe bowl is made of stone or clay, because the Earth and all things Earthen are
             also seen to be of a female nature. Similarly, the stem is usually wooden, made
             ...