| Indian baskets have been part of Native American | | | | most exquisite in the world and are regarded as a |
| culture for many years. I enjoy using these | | | | true art form. The making of these baskets is truly |
| hand-made baskets to bring southwest style to my | | | | incredible and is very thrilling to watch. There are |
| home. It is interesting when you start studying the | | | | generally two types of woven baskets that this |
| history of Indian basket weaving and find that | | | | Tribe makes yucca or sotol as it is also called, and |
| basket use actually started centuries ago and is one | | | | baskets made of pine needles. Baskets made of |
| of the oldest forms of art known in North American | | | | Yucca are very well-known and are woven in a |
| history. Indian baskets, weaved by Tribes such as | | | | variety of patterns and sizes. Pine baskets are more |
| the Pueblo, Apache, Navajo and Tarahumara are | | | | common in the mountains where pine trees are |
| famous for their beautiful, hand-crafted designs and | | | | prevalent, but are smaller than the yucca baskets |
| elaborate styles. As you learn about basket making, | | | | and are more fragile. There are different types of |
| you will find that in many Native American Tribes, | | | | weaving styles Indigenous people use in basket |
| women are the ones in charge of basket weaving | | | | making that differ between Tribes. The guari type, |
| and learn the art as little girls from their mothers. | | | | the most popular weave among the Tarahumara in |
| Baskets are used for many purposes in the daily lives | | | | the mountain region of Northern Mexico, is rounded |
| of the Native Indians and are a source of economic | | | | on the top, somewhat square, and has four distinct |
| survival for the people. As you will learn, Indian | | | | corners on the bottom. The petaca is another style |
| baskets not only work well as pieces of rustic decor, | | | | of weave used generally in the canyon regions, and is |
| but they are also very useful. In the beginning, | | | | round and often double woven. Sometimes the |
| baskets were made out of necessity by Native | | | | leaves are run back and forth on a rough stone to |
| people as a way to protect valued things such as | | | | smooth the sharp edges before the basket is |
| food, clothing, animal hides, blankets and even water. | | | | started. Native baskets come in many different |
| Hundreds of years ago, Native American Tribes | | | | types, patterns and colors depending on the Tribe |
| moved often and needed ways to protect their | | | | and the place where it is made. Even if you are not |
| things while still being able to carry them easily. Unlike | | | | able to see basket weaving first-hand and choose an |
| clay pots, baskets were long-lasting and would not | | | | Indian basket of your own, you can still have a piece |
| break. These days, Tribes still use baskets in their | | | | of this Native art form. It is easy to buy southwest |
| households and dwellings to keep their items clean | | | | style baskets online and in stores that sell chic, |
| and organized. They also serve as a means of | | | | genuine style home decorating accessories. Bring |
| income for many Native American families, and play | | | | American Indian culture to life in your home by |
| an important part in Indian events and tribal rituals, | | | | decorating with beautiful, hand-crafted Indian baskets. |
| such as wedding ceremonies, and in rights of passage | | | | Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey and |
| ceremonies. There are many types of Indian baskets | | | | offers free information online about choosing Indian |
| and each Tribe has different styles of basket making. | | | | baskets for rustic style decorating. |
| Southwest style, Indian baskets are some of the | | | | |