| While the history of baskets in the Old World can | | | | is accomplished much in the same fashion that it |
| date back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, | | | | has been done for centuries. Most Native |
| basketry was also an important part of the | | | | American baskets today are made to be sold to |
| struggle to survive for the people of the New | | | | non-Native American tourists and collectors. The |
| World as well. Practiced by virtually every Native | | | | tribes themselves still use certain baskets for |
| American tribe, many of these people still make | | | | preparing food and for use in religious rituals, but |
| baskets in the same fashion that their ancestors | | | | the days of hunting and gathering have |
| have for thousands of years. In ancient times, | | | | disappeared. Unlike commercially-made baskets, |
| baskets were not an art form but a useful tool in | | | | Native American baskets are made from |
| the process of gathering grains, fruits, and nuts | | | | materials that are found in nature. They are |
| that was the main diet of many tribal peoples. | | | | weaved from fibers from different plants and |
| These baskets were small in size and carried in | | | | trees that are found in the area in which a |
| the hands or were rather large and carried on the | | | | particular tribe lives. Some tribal weavers also use |
| back. The women supported these larger | | | | certain plants to dye the fibers different colors. |
| containers by the use of a tumpline around the | | | | Finding these materials has also been a challenge |
| forehead. The wider opening in these baskets | | | | for many Native American basket weavers. Due |
| allowed the carrier to easily toss the gathered | | | | to urban development and pollution, many of |
| food over their shoulder. There were also special | | | | these trees and plants do no grow wild as they |
| baskets known as creels that were used for | | | | once did. While ancient weavers could travel by |
| carrying fish. In areas that depended on hunting, | | | | foot to find the items that they needed, modern |
| people of nomadic tribes were continuously | | | | weavers are discovering that while some of |
| moving, following the game as it migrated. | | | | these items are available, they can only be found |
| Baskets proved useful in these moves as they | | | | in areas that are off-limits to them. Many of |
| could be utilized to carry clothing, tools, and other | | | | these materials have also vanished due to the |
| necessities from campsite to campsite. The | | | | fact that these plants were considered to be |
| baskets that were made by the native women of | | | | useless weeds to anyone but a basket weaver |
| these tribes were designed with a flat bottom so | | | | and were thus destroyed. In a few short years, it |
| that these containers could be balanced on the | | | | may impossible for Native American basket |
| head, freeing the women's hands so that she | | | | weavers to practice their craft as these materials |
| could carry other items. As settlers from Europe | | | | may totally disappear. It is an art form that will be |
| changed the lifestyle and living patterns of these | | | | greatly missed. |
| Native American people, the older ones taught the | | | | We have baby gift baskets that are cute and |
| younger generation their native skills as a way to | | | | practical. Perfect for the newborn and new moms. |
| cling onto their identity as a people. Basket | | | | For more information, visit this article on baby gift |
| weaving done by Native American women today | | | | baskets. |