The land currently known as the United States was once the inhabited by the people of the mighty Mohawk, Pueblo, Seminole, Hopi, Apache, Cherokee and Navajo nations, as well as many other tribal societies. Each was independent of the others, with their own governments, spiritual beliefs, culture, history and art style. Many Native American gift shops will off authentic tribal crafts for sale.
Some stores primarily cater to tourism and will feature mainly novelty products and items that are based on some of the more iconic, and generalized, images of tribal life. Examples of such goods are traditionally costumed dolls, headdresses, drums, tomahawks, bead work, dream catchers, post cards, paintings and key rings. For the most part, this type of inventory is manufactured in factories and ordered in bulk instead of being authentically hand crafted.
Usually found in areas where the modern tribal presence is strong, or near reservations, are stores that strive to provide customers with many authentic products. These items are all hand crafted one at a time by skilled tribal artisans that have mastered trade practices that have passed from one generation to another for centuries. Each one exhibits fine quality, uniqueness and attention to fine details.
Traditional and authentic crafting required that the materials used all be natural as they were hundreds of years ago. This included using things like clay dug from the ground, feathers, quills, stones, gems, leather, fur, wool and silver just to name a few. Everything was made by hand and typically featured subject matter such as animals and nature, the sun, moon and stars, geometric shapes, earth tones and spiritualism.
Basketry is a huge draw to many people who enjoy traditional style crafts made with great skill and quality. The techniques and materials vary by region depending on what was plentiful in the individual areas. In the northern zone that is now Alaska, the primary choice was baleen from whales, yucca leaves and grass in the southwest, and thin strips of wood in the northeast are fashioned into all manner of baskets, jars and trays.
Pottery is one of the oldest art forms known to man and the styles of the Pueblos, Hopi, Navajo, Cherokee and Catawba are each very distinctive. To be authentically traditional, craftsmen use natural clay and create the structures by hand without the use of potter's wheels. Colors are all derived from organic sources like minerals and plants, and stones or pine pitch are used to achieve a lustrous or shiny finish.
A specialty product of various Pueblo tribes like the Zuni, Navajo and the Hopi in particular, kachina dolls have fascinated many collectors and are a popular commodity. The totems are sculpted in dancing poses and designed to represent the sun, animals and men in their spirit forms. Making couples fertile, increasing someones health, promoting well being and making the rain fall are only a few of the supernatural abilities these figurines are said to possess.
Beading is an art that will vary in style with each region. Seed beads are used by almost all traditional artisans to add embellishment to many items, including shoes, clothing, fabrics, pipes, drums and basket handles, as well as to create beautiful jewelry. There are hundreds of authentic traditional tribal crafts that one may find and enjoy.
Some stores primarily cater to tourism and will feature mainly novelty products and items that are based on some of the more iconic, and generalized, images of tribal life. Examples of such goods are traditionally costumed dolls, headdresses, drums, tomahawks, bead work, dream catchers, post cards, paintings and key rings. For the most part, this type of inventory is manufactured in factories and ordered in bulk instead of being authentically hand crafted.
Usually found in areas where the modern tribal presence is strong, or near reservations, are stores that strive to provide customers with many authentic products. These items are all hand crafted one at a time by skilled tribal artisans that have mastered trade practices that have passed from one generation to another for centuries. Each one exhibits fine quality, uniqueness and attention to fine details.
Traditional and authentic crafting required that the materials used all be natural as they were hundreds of years ago. This included using things like clay dug from the ground, feathers, quills, stones, gems, leather, fur, wool and silver just to name a few. Everything was made by hand and typically featured subject matter such as animals and nature, the sun, moon and stars, geometric shapes, earth tones and spiritualism.
Basketry is a huge draw to many people who enjoy traditional style crafts made with great skill and quality. The techniques and materials vary by region depending on what was plentiful in the individual areas. In the northern zone that is now Alaska, the primary choice was baleen from whales, yucca leaves and grass in the southwest, and thin strips of wood in the northeast are fashioned into all manner of baskets, jars and trays.
Pottery is one of the oldest art forms known to man and the styles of the Pueblos, Hopi, Navajo, Cherokee and Catawba are each very distinctive. To be authentically traditional, craftsmen use natural clay and create the structures by hand without the use of potter's wheels. Colors are all derived from organic sources like minerals and plants, and stones or pine pitch are used to achieve a lustrous or shiny finish.
A specialty product of various Pueblo tribes like the Zuni, Navajo and the Hopi in particular, kachina dolls have fascinated many collectors and are a popular commodity. The totems are sculpted in dancing poses and designed to represent the sun, animals and men in their spirit forms. Making couples fertile, increasing someones health, promoting well being and making the rain fall are only a few of the supernatural abilities these figurines are said to possess.
Beading is an art that will vary in style with each region. Seed beads are used by almost all traditional artisans to add embellishment to many items, including shoes, clothing, fabrics, pipes, drums and basket handles, as well as to create beautiful jewelry. There are hundreds of authentic traditional tribal crafts that one may find and enjoy.
About the Author:
For a selection of apparel, jewelry, and handmade crafts, consider visiting one of the best known native American gift shops today. Browse the store by clicking on this link http://www.windrivernativegifts.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment