Native American Crafts

Native American Crafts and Skills,A Fully Illustrated Guide to Wilderness Living and Survival 2nd edition

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While the history of baskets in the Old World can date back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, basketry was also an important part of the struggle to survive for the people of the New World as well. Practiced by virtually every Native American tribe, many of these people still make baskets in the same fashion that their ancestors have for thousands of years.

In ancient times, baskets were not an art form but a useful tool in the process of gathering grains, fruits, and nuts that was the main diet of many tribal peoples. These baskets were small in size and carried in the hands or were rather large and carried on the back. The women supported these larger containers by the use of a tumpline around the forehead. The wider opening in these baskets allowed the carrier to easily toss the gathered food over their shoulder. There were also special baskets known as creels that were used for carrying fish.

In areas that depended on hunting, people of nomadic tribes were continuously moving, following the game as it migrated. Baskets proved useful in these moves as they could be utilized to carry clothing, tools, and other necessities from campsite to campsite. The baskets that were made by the native women of these tribes were designed with a flat bottom so that these containers could be balanced on the head, freeing the women’s hands so that she could carry other items.

As settlers from Europe changed the lifestyle and living patterns of these Native American people, the older ones taught the younger generation their native skills as a way to cling onto their identity as a people. Basket weaving done by Native American women today is accomplished much in the same fashion that it has been done for centuries.

Most Native American baskets today are made to be sold to non-Native American tourists and collectors. The tribes themselves still use certain baskets for preparing food and for use in religious rituals, but the days of hunting and gathering have disappeared.

Unlike commercially-made baskets, Native American baskets are made from materials that are found in nature. They are weaved from fibers from different plants and trees that are found in the area in which a particular tribe lives. Some tribal weavers also use certain plants to dye the fibers different colors. Finding these materials has also been a challenge for many Native American basket weavers. Due to urban development and pollution, many of these trees and plants do no grow wild as they once did. While ancient weavers could travel by foot to find the items that they needed, modern weavers are discovering that while some of these items are available, they can only be found in areas that are off-limits to them. Many of these materials have also vanished due to the fact that these plants were considered to be useless weeds to anyone but a basket weaver and were thus destroyed.

In a few short years, it may impossible for Native American basket weavers to practice their craft as these materials may totally disappear. It is an art form that will be greatly missed.

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Native American Thompsonian Herbalism

Everyone owes a great debt to those men and women who began natural healing. They did the original work in their own way of observation and testing to locate those herbs they needed to save the lives of their tribal family. All natural healers, even modern medicine, are standing on the shoulders of those courageous individuals, and untold thousands owe their lives to them.

The majority of people worldwide assume that America has no named herbal tradition, that the only major herbal traditions of the world are Chinese Herbalism, Ayurvedic Herbalism (from India), and Homeopaths of Europe. Contrary to that belief, here in America our herbal medicine tradition began with the Native American Healers of the different tribes.

These Native American healers held a distinctive respected leadership position within the tribal society. They employed a combination of natural herbal treatments and spiritual ceremonies that were supported by everyone in the tribe. True natural healers today employ some of these same pholosophical beliefs and techniques.

When the European settlers came to these lands, many herbalists, botanists, and healers came with them. Of these, a group called the Eclectic Physicians were the first to approach the Native Healers to learn their herbal philosophies and the plants they used. The best known of the Eclectic’s healers is the same man to coin the term “Eclectic Physician.” His name was Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. To him, the term meant to use whatever worked to the benefit of the patient, or to bring them into alignment with nature. Being passionate about his craft, he moved in with the Native Americans to observe their techniques and plants.

The next step in this American herbal tradition came with the great healer Dr. Samuel Thompson (1769-1843). It was Thompson who acquired a broad knowledge of herbs and healing through his personal experience. His mother had died and his wife was nearly killed by the regular physicians (who became the Aellopaths of today). Thompson saved her using herbal medical techniques. From this experience he brought together the Native American and European philosophies and herbs to form Thompsonian Herbalism. Thompson became a very popular herbalist in the 1840’s and it is estimated that a full one fifth of the population of America used Thompsonian Herbalism to treat their diseases. His success was so great that many doctors and herbalists began calling themselves Thompsonians. These Thompsonian herbalists did not want to associate themselves with the “regular” physicians of their time who used drastic, toxic, and sometimes deadly techniques, much like today’s medical disaster.

Thompson believed what the father of medicine believed, that disease was really simple and theories made a needless mystery of medicine. He further believed that the mystery of medicine prevented ordinary people from taking responsibility for their own health. This confusion exists today and separates people from truly curing any disease. This is why modern medicine has outlawed the use of the word cure while looking for cures that they have never found and never will find.

In 1822, ten years into his successful practice Thompson wrote a book titled “New Guide to Health; or Botanic Family Physician.” Then Thompson began selling patents from his system of healing so that any American family could, for $20, solve their own disease problems. These patent holders were able to turn to Thompson’s herbal warehouse to purchase the formulas and, with a copy of his book, apply the successful herbal techniques. It was not long before this system began to be picked up in Europe where some of it’s original roots were located.

In America, this time of Thompsonian herbalism was a time of freedom of medical treatment which we miss today. Today, Thompson’s democratic approach to healing is finding a resurgence in America and across the world. If you do not want an aellopathic doctor involved in your health, that should be your choice, it is your life. If you paid for insurance it should be your choice to pick the treatment you want, whether that treatment is pharmaceutical drugs or herbal techniques. If it is herbal techniques you want, the Naturopathic Doctor you choose should be from the belief system of your choice not chosen by some state licenseing committee.

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Pow wow is a fascinating gathering of Native American Indians which may last from days to a week. Pow wow is an important cultural expression of the Native American heritage.

The name pow wow derives from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning shaman. It has since come to be used to describe any gathering of Native Americans of any tribes. An early twenty-first century pow wow is a specific type of event held by Native Americans.

Pow wows have evolved from a formal ceremony of the past into modern blend of dance, family reunion and festival. Over time Pow wow traditions have adapted and changed into a bright, fast and exciting event geared towards Native Americans and visitors alike.

Pow wows can vary in length from a single session of 5-6 hours to three days with one to three sessions a day. Major pow wows or pow wows called for a special occasion can be up to one week long.

This occasion is filled with colorful regalia of the participating dancers from the different Native American Indian tribes. As the dancers parade around the arena, different kinds and types of regalia can be seen. Almost every Native American Indian wears feathers and beads, not just on their headdresses but also on their body apparel. Some of them display different kind of jewelry and even bells dangling on their attire.

The head dancers consist of the Head Man Dancer and the Head Woman Dancer, and often Head Teen Dancers, Head Little Boy and Girls Dancers, Head Golden Age Dancers, and a Head Gourd Dancer if the pow wow will be having gourd dancing. The head dancers are responsible for leading the other dancers during a song and often dancers will not enter the arena unless the head dancers are already out dancing. The head dancers also lead the other dancers in the grand entry or parade of dancers that opens a pow wow.

The Host Drum of the pow wow is a drum group responsible for providing music for the dancers to dance to. At an Intertribal pow wow generally two or more drums are hired to be the host drums, often a Host Northern Drum and a Host Southern Drum. Each drum has a Lead Singer who runs his drum and leads his singers while singing. Host drums are responsible for singing the songs at the beginning and end of a pow wow session, generally a starting song, the grand entry song, a flag song, and a veterans or victory song to start the pow wow, and a flag song, retreat song and closing song to end the pow wow. Additionally, if a pow wow has gourd dancing, the Southern Host Drum is often the drum that sings all the gourd songs, though another drum can perform them. The host drums are often called upon to sing special songs during the pow wow.

Pow wow is normally set up as a series of large circles. The center circle is the dance arena, outside of which is a circle consisting of the MC’s table, drum groups and sitting areas for dancers and their families. Beyond these two circles for participants is often an area for spectators, while outside of all are several rings of vendor’s booths, where one can buy supplies, food, or arts and crafts.

The Pow wow begins with what is called the Grand Entry. All the dancers line up by dance style and age. Then they enter the arena while one of the host drums sings a special song. Pow Wows are full of Native American dancing, singing, educational displays, and authentic food. The pow wow is the Native American’s way of expressing their cultural heritage. Most dancers seen at Pow Wows today perform social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days.

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Every fan who has welcomed jewelry knows first-hand the beauty and value compiled often attributed to the Native American jewelry. They understand the design features that our unmatched indigenous ancestors in their carefully crafted jewelry during their lifetime. They made sure that each side of their jewelry and was designed to preserve the pride that they felt as they passed each of these jewels from one generation to another.

In a reflection of the creativity of the various Native American jewelry, the pieces are certainly of great value and, ultimately, very expensive. They are usually created from quality materials such as gold or platinum that cannot be inclined to increase their value as time passes. If you have only one piece of jewelry Americans, we can honestly say that you’re one of those lucky few, because this privilege is reserved and applied to all.

Native American jewelry deal in hand jewelry American Indian who has rooted itself in both American history and the current fashion. American Indian models have been produced since prehistoric times. Each piece is high fashion now for a kind of nature, its natural attraction, and elegance. Modern archaeologists have found that Indian jewelry styles vary from tribe to tribe.

Native American Jewelry creates two very broad categories, namely, metallurgy and beadwork. Before the Europeans arrived, native metalwork was very simple with hammering and engraving copper pendants or earrings and fashioning copper and silver beads. In the 1800s when Navajo and Hopi Pueblo artists learned the techniques of Spanish, a new style was developed which was the merger of new technologies with traditional designs.

When you shop for these beautiful pieces of our history, if it happens to be that you are for the first time in search of a piece of American jewelry, you must make sure that you choose with care and attention. You must be well within the ability to identify the items are authentic and those who are just duplicates. If you do not have this capacity, it is perhaps better that you seek the services of an expert to ensure that you get a genuine Native American jewelry that is valuable and worth what you pay.

When you buy jewelry for your collection, it is good if you can only afford to buy a piece at a time but we are warned not to let the full year without the addition to your collection, the budget, of course bear. Many of these Americans are the best accessories and will be greatly appreciated if they come in pairs or complete sets. Ideal garment selections today include necklace, a pair of matching earrings, bracelet and a ring.

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Native American Crafts and Skills, Second Edition

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Do you love Native American Rattles and other Indian musical instruments? Rattles are excellent Native American symbols and representations of Indian people and their unique culture. They are also among the most used musical instruments for use in ceremonies and rituals throughout most Indian tribes. Rattles, for many years and for the majority of American Indians, have always played a large part in the spiritual connection with the creator as well as for use in social events.

As you study the intriguing history of American Indians and their use of Native American rattles, you will learn that they are symbolic among the Indigenous people and are essential to the tribal ceremony in which they are played. It is said that they symbolize the animal, plant, and mineral kingdoms. The animal kingdom is exemplified in the form of the container or decorative feather of the rattle. The mineral kingdom is represented by the rocks that make the sound or also by the paint used for the artwork pictured on the rattle. And, the plant kingdom is symbolized by the handle.

When researching the uses of Native American rattles and how they are played, you will learn that almost every tribe and Indian culture including the Navajo culture, play rattles in their ceremonial rituals. Among the many variations of Indian rattles, along with the popular gourd rattles and turtle shell rattles, the simple rawhide rattle is the most used in Native American tribes.

The images, such as the Navajo bear or Navajo eagle, used in the artwork depicted on the rattles, differ with each tribe. You will find it intriguing that the different tribes including the Cherokee, Navajo, Apache, Pueblo, Zuni and Hopi, can all be recognized by the variations of the beautiful art work on their hand crafts. One thing these people do have in common is that they all play rattles in various ceremonial rituals and as part of music, dance, medicine and spirituality.

The Indian rattles are really very beautiful and are made with a number of natural materials such as turtle shell, leather, rawhide, bead work and Native American feathers. Fur, fringe, seeds, rocks, antlers, horns, bones and shells are used to create that unique Indian style. Clay beads, blue corn, manzanita seeds or small smooth stones such as those found at the mouth of an ant hill, are also sometimes inserted in the rattles to give it the desired sound.

Indian people have always used music, songs, stories and legends to express their cultural beliefs and traditions to each other and to those around them. It is in harmony with these forms of learning that rattles have come to be an important part in the ritualistic ceremonies of the Indian people.

That is the reason there is nothing more fascinating than owning genuine Indian musical instruments and hand crafts. You can easily buy Native rattles online and sometimes in stores that sell southwest home decorating items. If you are intrigued by authentic Indian musical instruments, or are looking for the perfect instrument to play in your drumming circles, you will no doubt enjoy the beautiful sound of Native American rattles.

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Native American drums used for rustic tables are the exact opposite of the cold look of contemporary style and ultra modern decorating. People are making a strong shift in their expectations for their furniture’s comfort and design by embracing Native American. Drums suite both form and function when one desires to build a sense of home into their design. Warmth and friendliness have become the emphasis of this popular décor with Indian drum tables, antler lamps and rawhide lamp shades leading the way. The congeniality of a country smile or closeness with dear friends is the atmosphere sought after in today’s rustic design and becoming a reality through Native American drums.

Drums, Native American designs and natural materials are playing a big part in the reversal to comfort and simplicity. By combing various accents, decorators are creating rustic home décor with down home feel that is affordable and interestingly beautiful. Native American drums seem to fit the bill perfectly. Large pow wow drums are used as center or coffee tables while smaller Indian drums make perfect end tables. The primitive natural rawhide of the drums and the rich wood tones bring a rustic theme to the room that harmonizes all of the elements. It’s truly amazing what a unique look can be accomplished by using tables made from Native drums.

Native American drums as furniture hasn’t found a place in the lime light of flashy magazine photos of contemporary homes with hard steel and glass, but Native drum tables certainly have found a place in the hearts of Americans, Native or not. The homey relaxed feeling that it’s ok to take off your shoes and sit on the furniture is made with fabrics of homespun character, quilts and rag rugs, bent wood rockers and cedar drum tables.

Table drums also help the flow of the room because of their rounded corners. Coffee table drums help keep the room from looking overcrowded. Some of the greatest examples of rustic décor using Native American Indian drums are those that have a feeling of a country cabin or lodge, open and warm. Tarahumara Indian drums in particular are a type of Native American drum especially well suited to rustic furniture adding a rough hewn look with warm color for a great cabin look. Tarahumara pedestal drums range in size from 12” to 24” diameter making them just right for corner and end tables, while the larger powwow drums can be as large as 42” in diameter. Both use a perfect combination of beautiful rawhide with natural pine and cedar for an inviting feel.

Think Native drums American style, by using country crafts to warm your whole room and add a touch of rustic charm. Imagine the rekindling of by gone days when Teddy Roosevelt made the masculine hunting lodge style so popular. Antler chandeliers, bears carved from logs and antique hooks for hats and coats. Try using a lot of wrought iron lamps and accessories with your new drum tables. If you love western furniture as well as southwest style, try an old horse collar mirror or wrought iron horseshoe wall decoration.

Native American drums as rustic furniture may be a new concept to some, but there is nothing more warm and simple than a Navajo rug under a Native drum, with Indian pottery and a log ladder near by to make a subtle but amazing affect. Southwestern designs on wool throws and tapestries are also perfect for this style. So make a bold statement in your favorite space with beautiful Native American drums.

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For couples seeking a unique Native American Pendants or wedding band, try to look at the Native American Jewelry designed rings. Many couples choose to Native American jewelry, because they want to reflect their heritage, believe in the symbolism, or the ideals which are manifested by such jewelry. You do not need the U.S. to appreciate the beauty and know-how that goes into their jewelry. Many models are inspired by the spiritual beliefs of a tribal nation, and vary from tribe to tribe.

Most of the Native American Jewelry makers of today are jewelry from a long line of craftsmen, their knowledge of their history and symbols of the tribe is literally hundreds of years. Jewelry they create smooth, straight lines and drawings are never unbalanced or uneven. The stones are well integrated into their framework. You will not see any bad quality of their crafts jewelry. Native American Pendants and marriage are often bands of money, even if some may be found rings of gold or platinum.

They also traditionally use natural resources like wood, hemp, hematite, jade, quartz or making cycles. The gems are usually natural stones like turquoise (most popular, i.e. the wealth and prosperity), the mother of pearl, agate, opal, jade, coral, onyx, lapis lazuli, carnelian or who were polite but not faceted. It is not uncommon to find sculpture of a bison, wolves, eagles, horses, nor incorporated into the design of their rings of these measures to represent the Native American spirit guides or protection totems. Symbols like a leaf, running water or mountains are also described in their jewelry, because they keep the wearer earthed, or Mother Earth. Some geometric patterns made of metal and stone are also symbolic of certain tribes.

Before buying, it is always better that we find as much information as possible about the seller. Since Native American collectibles are in high demand, there is always a risk that you could end up buying a fake, as in some regions, they have flooded the market. It is therefore important that you check the credentials of a seller through references in the form of friends, family members or colleagues who can vouch for the authenticity of products purchased from a dealer.
If you live in the southwestern United States, then you probably have good access to many great artisans, whether on reservations or in specialty shops. Otherwise, you can go online at the following retailers to view and Native American Jewelry:

• Ugly Otter

• Bear Claw Jewelry

• Ben Nighthorse

• Native American Traditions

• Native Arts Trading

• The Navajo Silversmith

• American Trails

• Eagle Rock Trading Post

• Touch Wood Rings
While most genuine Native American jewelry at reasonable prices, some items can be very expensive. Just keep in mind that you have the choice of the rings that have a spiritual sense, in most cases, these blessings are intended to enrich your life together.

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Woman’s Day Native American Indian Crafts No. 2

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