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