Native American Crafts

Native American tomahawks are very popular because of their iconic look. There are also a lot of designs to choose from. There is much to learn as we understand the great importance of the tomahawk throughout history. We’ll learn how it is made, its importance to the Indians and the changes it has undergone throughout the years.

One of the most prevailing and memorable items used in combat are tomahawks as seen in many western movies. The tomahawk is used as a decorative and conversation piece, providing hours of intellectual analysis although no one could guess they would have much use in today’s modern age. The Native American tomahawk is seen as an icon which was used during war. North American tribes have been the prominent users of this item. The name of this Indian weapon, tomahawk, came from an Algonquian word.

The original look of the Native tomahawk was a stone head secured to a wooden handle with leather. Another way the tomahawk could have been made was with a wooden handle which was secured in a bored hole on the stone. When the Europeans infiltrated the New World, there were other kinds of tomahawks made. Just as the hatchet we know of today, they were made of metal. They were also known as trade tomahawks. The initial use of Native American tomahawks was for hand to hand combat. In addition, it was used as both a mid or long range weapon to be thrown at the attacking enemy. Like other kinds of artifacts, the tomahawk was also used for ceremonial purposes. In some tribes, the tomahawk was laid to the ground during council meetings. It meant war will commence and it was approved, when a leader took the tomahawk from the ground. It meant that the warfare had ended if the tomahawk was buried. This is where the famous line, “bury the hatchet” came from.

Aside from its social and historical context, the allure of the tomahawk today rests upon the ornate and impeccable detailing on the handles as well as on the base of the stone weapon. Artists today craft tomahawks with ornate details and natural coverings made of leather and fur. The result was a beautiful piece of art which could be used as wall decor. For those who want to add to their historical pieces of cultural Indian artifacts, these very unique Native American tomahawks have become a great item. The tomahawk becomes a special gift today from a Native American to a person of importance during a tribal meeting.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 2:58 pm and is filed under Native American Crafts (Books). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.