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