While swaddling and baby carrying seem like the latest ideas in parenting trends, these soothing practices have been an important part of childrearing traditions in the Native American culture for thousands of years. Variations of the Native American baby carrier are found across hundreds of North American tribes, including the Shoshone, Cree, Ojibwe, Winnebago, Nez… Continue Reading
It is generally believed that the term “tomahawk” originated with the Algonquian peoples, a group who spoke Algonquian languages and lived mostly around the Great Lakes, along the northern Atlantic Coast and around the Saint Lawrence River. They also lived in the dense forest regions of what is presently known as Ontario, Canada. The Algonquian… Continue Reading
In Navajo history, masks represent the peoples’ interest in nature and spiritualism. With masks, tribe members are able to reveal their feelings and emotions toward particular things. When making them, Navajo people had the chance to demonstrate their creativity utilizing materials they could easily acquire, like wood, leather, feathers, and cloth. Using Navajo Masks Navajo artifacts like masks were worn during battle, shaman… Continue Reading
Perhaps the two most visible representations of Hopi culture in our society are the colorful hand-carved Katsina dolls and the costumed dancers that appear as the spirits that the dolls represent at certain times of the year. For the Hopi, all things follow a specific, traditional order. In August or September, after gathering the annual harvest and the… Continue Reading
Of all Native American weaponry, lancets, spears, tomahawks, and bows and arrows, knives were the most useful and versatile. Considering that the natives hunted their own food and made their own homes, boats, clothes, cradles, bed frames, traps, musical instruments and more, it’s easy to see how knives would come in handy. Even women were… Continue Reading