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hykwa
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Spelling variants:hai-qua
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
n.
the shell of a mollusc, Dentalium indianorum, used by the Coast Indians as money and ornaments.
See: hiaqua
Quotations
1862
The northern tribes wear also very generally a small round shell, called the "hai-qua," in appearance not unlike a piece of clay-pipe stem one or two inches long, stuck into their lower lips at an angle of 45° with the chin.
1922
Of all his wealth of fish and furs, of game and hykwa (large shell-money) he gave to the boys who had none. . . .