| Indian baskets have a unique purpose and | | | | people, and play a significant part in Native |
| place in the culture of Native Americans. I | | | | events and rituals, such as Navajo wedding |
| enjoy using these hand-made baskets to bring | | | | ceremonies, and in rights of passage |
| southwest style to my home. It is interesting | | | | ceremonies. |
| when you start studying the history of Indian | | | | |
| basket weaving and find that the use of | | | | There are different types of Indian baskets |
| baskets actually started centuries ago and is | | | | and each Tribe has different variations. |
| one of the most ancient forms of art known in | | | | Southwest style, Native baskets are some of |
| Indigenous history. Indian baskets, weaved by | | | | the most beautiful in the world and are |
| Tribes like the Pueblo, Apache, Navajo and | | | | considered a true form of art. The way these |
| Tarahumara are famous for their detailed, | | | | baskets are made is truly amazing and is very |
| handmade designs and elaborate styles. As you | | | | exciting to watch. The two types of baskets |
| learn about basket weaving, you will learn | | | | made by this Tribe are the yucca or sotol as |
| that in most Native American Tribes, women | | | | it is also known, and pine needle baskets. |
| are responsible for basket weaving and learn | | | | Baskets made of Yucca are very well-known and |
| the art as little girls from their mothers. | | | | are made in different shapes and sizes. Pine |
| Baskets are used for many purposes in the | | | | baskets are more commonly found in the |
| daily lives of the Native Indians and help | | | | mountain region where pine trees grow, but |
| the people financially. | | | | are smaller than the yucca baskets and more |
| | | | delicate. |
| As you will learn, Indian baskets not only | | | | |
| look great as accessories to rustic and | | | | There are different types of weaving designs |
| southwestern decorating, but they are also | | | | Native people use in basket making that |
| very useful. At first, baskets were made out | | | | differ between Tribes. The guari type, the |
| of necessity by Native people as a way to | | | | most popular weave among the Tarahumara in |
| hold valuable things like food, clothing, | | | | the mountain region of Northern Mexico, is |
| animal hides, blankets and even water. Years | | | | curved at the top, somewhat square, and has |
| ago, Native American Tribes moved often and | | | | four well-defined corners at the bottom. The |
| needed ways to protect their things while | | | | petaca is another style of weave used |
| still being able to move them easily. Unlike | | | | commonly in the canyon regions, and is round |
| pottery, baskets were resistant and would not | | | | and often double woven. Sometimes the leaves |
| break. Now days, Tribes still use baskets in | | | | are run back and forth on a rough stone to |
| their homes and dwellings to protect their | | | | smooth the sharp edges before the basket |
| things and keep them organized. They also | | | | maker starts to weave. |
| serve as a means of income for many Indian | | | | |