| Indian baskets have a unique purpose and place in | | | | their items and keep them in order. They also |
| the culture of Native Americans. I love using | | | | serve as a means of income for many Native |
| these baskets in my home decorating because it | | | | American people, and play a significant part in |
| is a very easy way to create great southwestern | | | | Indian events and tribal rituals, weddings, honor |
| style in any space. It is interesting when you begin | | | | ceremonies, and many other Native events. |
| reading the history of Native basket making and | | | | The variety of Native baskets is endless and each |
| find that the need for baskets actually started | | | | Tribe has their own designs and weave patterns. |
| hundreds of years ago and is one of the most | | | | The Tarahuamara Tribe baskets are very popular |
| ancient art forms known in Indian history. | | | | and considered a true art form. The way these |
| Indian baskets, weaved by Tribes like the Apache | | | | baskets are made is truly extraordinary and is |
| and Navajo are famous for their detailed, | | | | very remarkable to watch. |
| hand-crafted designs and interesting styles. As | | | | The two types of baskets made by this Tribe |
| you learn about basket making, you will find that | | | | are the yucca or sotol as it is also known, and |
| in most Native American Tribes, it is usually the | | | | pine needle baskets. Yucca baskets are very |
| women that make the baskets. Girls are taught | | | | popular and come in many shapes and sizes. Pine |
| by their mothers when they are still children to | | | | baskets are more commonly found in higher |
| weave the intricate designs to create a beautiful | | | | elevations where pine forests are abundant, but |
| basket. These baskets in turn serve many | | | | are smaller than the yucca baskets and are more |
| functions in the daily lives of the Native Americans | | | | fragile. |
| and help the people survive economically. | | | | One of the beatiful things about Native baskets is |
| One of the reasons baskets are made by the | | | | that each Tribe has its own style and weave |
| Native people and bought by those who wish to | | | | patterns, creating a beautiful variety of baskets |
| incoporate them into the home decor, is because | | | | to choose from. The guari type, the most |
| they are very functional. In the beginning, baskets | | | | commonly used weave among the Tarahumara in |
| were weaved by Native Americans as a way to | | | | the mountain region of Northern Mexico, is curved |
| hold valued items such as food and clothing. | | | | at the top, somewhat square, and consists of |
| Special baskets were even tightly weaved to hold | | | | four distinct corners at the bottom. |
| water. Hundreds of years ago, Tribes needed to | | | | The petaca is another type of weave used |
| be able to potect their belonging while still being | | | | traditionally in the canyon regions, and is curved |
| able to transport them quickly in case of and | | | | and often double woven. Sometimes the leaves |
| attack from another Tribe. | | | | are run back and forth on a rough stone to dull |
| Unlike clay pottery, baskets were long-lasting and | | | | the sharp edges before the basket maker starts |
| would not break. These days, Tribes still use | | | | to weave. |
| baskets in their houses and dwellings to protect | | | | |