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Article #305: Use Indian Baskets To Create Unique Mountain Home Decor

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






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