Native American prayer fans are lovely additions to rustic décor, but they also have deep significance in traditional culture. Created in the belief that birds link the physical world to the spiritual one, they are regarded as sacred objects in prayer and healing ceremonies. Prayer fans are crafted according to the location, customs, and tribal beliefs… Continue Reading
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
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
Native American jewelry is a beautiful, versatile, and meaningful art form that has long been admired by cultures around the world. The handcrafted pieces are celebrated as relics of American Indian civilization, and the evolution of mass jewelry production has included them in modern day fashion and style. One of the most unique and traditional… Continue Reading