Mani as a Holiday Stocking Stuffer

The holidays are fast approaching and I bet you're hoping to find something for your kids that is both unique and emblematic of Manitoba.

Why not get them a Mani the Friendly Buff-Hello??  He makes a GREAT stocking stuffer and you'd be supporting a Manitoba company.

If you'd like to get a Mani for someone you love, send us an email for further details on where you can pick up your very own Mani!!

Manny interested in joining Blue Jays

Is Mani the Friendly Buffalo poised to become the Blue Jays new mascot?  Nope.   But word is circulating around the internet that slugger Manny Ramirez is interested in joining Toronto now that the Red Sox former pitching coach has taken over the Manager's role in Toronto.

From the Toronto Sun:

In search of a new employer now that his two-year, $45-million US contract has expired, slugger Manny Ramirez says he’s interested in being a Blue Jay, now that John Farrell is the manager.
Ramirez, who was traded by the Dodgers to the White Sox late in the 2010 season, has just had a sports hernia operation similar to that of Jays slugger Jose Bautista. 

To read full article, click here.

I'm torn on this one.  If he is healthy he could make an already dangerous lineup, even more potent.  But his attitude could also cripple this team.  The Jays have taken their chances on aging sluggers (Frank 'the tank' Thomas & Jose Canseco).  What do you think?

Should the Jays take a chance on Manny?


Or will they be burned by "Manny being Manny"?

Great gift ideas for kids living and/or visiting Manitoba

If you type 'Manitoba gifts' online you will find a wide area of items offered up as representative of our great province.  There are lots of buttons, magnets, postcards, clothing with a Manitoba Flag on them.

But what about gifts for kids?  Kids won't appreciate ties.  Similarly they aren't big fans of postcards.  What they do like are plush toys.  Mani is a uniquely Manitoban plush that is good for kids within the Province as well as a great memory for those who are just visiting.

As the holidays are slowly approaching, why not buy a Mani for someone you love!!

Uses of the Buffalo

How many different uses are there for the Buffalo?  While most people immediately think meat, there are in fact quite a number of products that can be created from a single animal.

The indigenous people of North America used the entire animal as can be seen in the following graphic provided by the South Dakota State Historical Society;

What was the specific method of butchery used by the Native Americans in order to get the optimum use out of the bison?

Ted Turner's 50,000 strong herd of Bison

The former owner of CNN & the Atlanta Braves, Ted Turner owns approximately 15 ranches across the United States totaling almost 2 million acres, which makes him the largest individual land owner in North America.

He currently owns approximately 50,000 animals.  Although as far as we know, to date, he doesn't have own any Mani's.

On his ranches there are a variety of activities that you can take part in such as hunting, fishing and nature tourism.  For more info, check out Ted Turner Ranches.

Bob Marley - Buffalo Solider

Mani's favorite song.  Here is the 411 about the song from Wikipedia:

"Buffalo Soldier" is a reggae song co-written by Bob Marley and Noel G. "King Sporty" Williams from Marley's final recording sessions in 1980. It did not appear on record until the 1983 posthumous release of Confrontation, when it became a big hit and one of Marley's best-known songs.

The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as "Buffalo Soldiers", that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley likened their fight to a fight for survival, and recasts it as a symbol of black resistance.[1] The song's bridge, with the lyrics woy! yoy! yoy!, is similar to the chorus of the Banana Splits' "The Tra-La-La Song", the 1968 theme from their TV show; The Dickies had a #7 hit in the UK in 1979 with a cover of the song. Critics[who?] disagree on whether the complexity of the section is strong enough to be considered plagiarism; the melodic run of 8-6-5 is common on the simple pentatonic scale. There has never been any litigation connected to the similarity.

What are some other good songs that have Buffalo or Bison in the lyrics?

State & Provincial Flags that have a Buffalo or Bison on them

US States:

Kansas;

"On a navy blue field is a sunflower, the state flower. Also, the state seal and the words "Kansas". In the picture of the state seal are thirty-four stars representing the order of statehood. Above the stars is the motto "To the Stars Through Difficulties". On the seal a sunrise overshadows a farmer plowing a field near his log cabin, a steamboat sailing the Kansas River, a wagontrain heading west and Native Americans hunting bison."




Oklahoma;

"The Oklahoma state flag honors more than 60 groups of Native Americans and their ancestors. The blue field comes from a flag carried by Choctaw soldiers during the civil war. The center shield is the battle shield of an Osage warrior. It is made of buffalo hide and decorated with eagle feathers. Two symbols of peace lie across the shield. One is the calumet, or peace pipe. The other is an olive branch. Crosses on the shield are Native American signs for stars, representing high ideals."

Wyoming;

"A bison on a blue field bordered in white and red. The state seal branded on the bison. The woman represents the state motto "Equal Rights" and the two men represent cattle ranchers and miners. The words "Livestock", "Mines", "Grains" and "Oil" represent Wyoming's wealth. The eagle and shield show support for the United States. The dates 1869 and 1890 tell when Wyoming organized as a territory of the United States and when it became a state."





Canadian Province

Manitoba

"Given royal approval in October 1965 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and officially proclaimed on May 12, 1966, the flag of Manitoba consists of the Red Ensign with the Armorial Bearings centred in the right half. The Red Ensign was, at the time, the flag of Canada.The Shield is topped by St. George's Cross on a white background, representing King George III and symbolizing British heritage. The bison represents the once-vast herds of bison which once roamed freely throughout the province and provided food and clothing not only to the Aboriginals, but to the early settlers as well."


Information about the US flags provided by the site; 50states.
Information about the MB flag provided by the site; Flagman.

Sports teams affiliated with Buffalo or Bison.

Basically the criteria was a professional, minor or college/university team that either had Buffalo or Bison in it's name or was using either as it's mascot.

Professional Sports:

In the NHL you have the Buffalo Sabres -

In the NFL you have the Buffalo Bills -

In the NBA you have the Oklahoma Thunder* -

*While it seems odd since a Buffalo/Bison would appear to have nothing to do with their name, apparently their mascot is in fact a Bison named Rumble.

In Triple AAA baseball you have the ultimate mix, the Buffalo Bisons -

University/College Programs:

University of Manitoba Bisons -

Colorado Buffaloes -

Bucknell Bisons -

North Dakota State University - 

Gallaudet University - 

Howard University -

Lipscomb University - 

Harding University -

West Texas A&M -

Marshall University -

Are there any professional, minor or university/college teams that I've left off?

The differences between a Buffalo and a Bison.

As many know, Mani is referred to as a Buffalo.  However when referencing these types of animals in our Province, a majority seem to use Bison.  Which is correct?

Well as it turns out, Bison is the correct reference although Buffalo has been used for a longer period of time.  As can be found in American Heritage dictionary for under word origin;

buffalo, first recorded for the American mammal in 1635, is older than bison, first recorded in 1774.

The only true "Buffalo" species are the African Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).  Whereas in North America the Bison (Bison bison) is a different species.

Turns out this discrepancy can be attributed to French Fur Trappers who according to Wikipedia;

called these massive beasts bœufs, meaning ox or bullock – so both names, "bison" and "buffalo," have a similar meaning.

So where does this leave Mani?  Has he been misidentified?  Will this cause him to question who he is?  As of this writing, Mani is still using the moniker of Buff-hello.  Will this change?  Stay Tuned!!

Some places to see Buffalo/Bison around Manitoba

The Fort Whyte has a Bison Safari that they offer for guests;

At the Assiniboine Park Zoo you can see the Bison herd, which includes a rare white Bison (which apparently happens once every 15 million births).

Riding Mountain National Park has a HUGE enclosure for Bison;

Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature

If you are visiting Winnipeg, or live here for that matter, I'd strongly suggest you take time to check out the Museum of Man and Nature.  It is a 1st class facility.

This image is one of my favorite displays;

Mani is on Twitter

What exactly does a Buffalo have to tweet?  We're not sure, but if you'd be interested in hearing from Mani via twitter, why not follow him?

We welcome pictures of people showing off their Mani's!!!

Here is someone who really, really loves their Herd.

A bit about Mani

Mani was conceived back in the early 2000's.  One of his first big "gigs" was when he was declared the Official Mascot of the 2003 Ford World Curling Championship.

Mani was also made available in stores across this great city, such as the Museum of Man and Nature gift shop as well as Showcase Manitoba in the Winnipeg Airport.

Contact Details

Feel free to add Mani on Facebook and on Twitter.

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