Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Indians of North America -- Rites and ceremonies; Indian dance -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore; Masks; Kwakiutl Indians; Kwakiutl art;...
This mask was created by contemporary Kwagiulth artist Buddy George. Called “Moon with Snakes” mask, it depicts a cosmological theme, as many Northwest Coast legends do. It embodies the moon, a celestial being that was, according to legend,...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Southwest, New; Hopi Indians; Hopi Indians -- Religion; Hopi Indians -- Social life and customs; Kachinas; Bull-roarer
When spun rapidly through the air in circles, bullroarers make a low buzzing sound that Hopi peoples associate with wind, thunder and rain. They are used during special ceremonies, such as Kachina dances, to summon rain as well as to scare off evil...
Teton Indians; Teton Indians -- Social life and customs; Indians of North America -- Great Plains; Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Bags; Clothing and dress
Native American bags were often decorated with paint, beadwork, or quillwork with specific tribal designs. These designs sometimes revealed the specific use of the bag, such as a medicine bag or tobacco bag. The craftsperson, usually a woman, made...
Indians of North America; Woodland Indians; Mohawk Indians; Onondaga Indians; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress; Headgear
Mohawk artist Towanna Miller created this contemporary headdress called a gustowah. The number and position of the feathers or the position of the hat can signify what clan the wearer belongs to or what position he holds in his culture. This...
Cree Indians; Cree Indians -- Social life and customs; Woodland Indians; Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Gloves; Clothing and dress
During the 19th century, the reservation system and the close proximity of many tribes increased the influence of inter-tribal artistic designs and techniques. Traditional skills in hide work, beadwork, and quillwork became sources for income for...
Bags; Handbag; Beadwork; Tobacco; Tobacco pipes; Smoking Paraphernalia; Indians of North America; 19th Century; Indians of North America -- Social life and customs; Indians of North America -- Tobacco use; Cheyenne indians; Cheyenne indians --...
Leather bags like this one, called pipe or tobacco bags, were used to carry pipe stems, pipe bowls and tobacco. This bag is decorated with both quillwork and glass beads. Before beads were acquired through trade with Europeans, many Native American...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Alaska; Indians of North America -- Alaska; Tlingit Indians; Tlingit Indians -- Social life and customs; Tlingit baskets; Indian baskets; Baskets; Basket...
The Tlingit people live in Southeastern Alaska, extending along the coast from British Columbia to Yakutat Bay in the north. Their baskets are often made of finely twined split spruce root decorated with false embroidery designs. Some baskets were...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Haida indians; Haida Indians -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Sheep; Mountain Goat; 19th Century
For hundreds of years the Northwest Coast cultures used their abundant natural resources to create useful objects. Spoons were made from the horns of both sheep and mountain goat. They were used to transfer ceremonial food from serving bowls and...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Tlingit Indians; Tlingit Indians -- Social life and customs; Chilkat textile fabrics; Dolls; Indian dolls; Blankets; Indian blankets; 1950s
Chilkat dancing blankets were made for men and women to wear, or give, at special Northwest Coast occasions. The art of Chilkat blanket weaving originated with the Tsimshian people but later spread to the Tlingit people through trade and marriage....
Indians of South America; Indians of South America -- Social life and customs; Caraja Indians; Initiation rites; Brazil; Headgear; Indians of South America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress
The Karaja Peoples reside in the lowlands of the Matto Grosso of Brazil. They are well known for their ceramic dolls, baskets, and feathered objects. This particular headdress is called a lori-lori and consists of rosettes of feathers attached to a...
Indians of South America; Guarani Indians; Guarani Indians -- Social life and customs
The sterling silver composition of this tea set indicates that it was used for special occasions or by a wealthy family. The holder is filled with mate' (tea) to about the top line of decoration, then boiling water is added. The tea is ingested...
Pomo Indians; Pomo Indians--Social life and customs; Musical instruments; Indians of North America--Music; Indians of North America--California
Clap sticks are used to keep rhythm in most Central Californian Native American dances. The stick is hit against the hand, causing the two split sides to clap together. 4-8 men clap sticks simultaneously while singing. At a certain point in the...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Haida indians; Haida Indians -- Rites and ceremonies; Totem poles; Queen Charlotte Islands (B.C.); British Columbia; 1900s
For hundreds of years the Haida people have inhabited the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia, Canada. Many Northwest Coast cultures carve totem poles but the Haida are widely regarded as the best carvers and are considered the finest totem...
Indians of North America; Indians of North American -- Clothing; Indians of North America--Great Plains; Indians of North America--Social life and customs; Headgear; Feathers; Indian dance--North America
Many Plains people are known for their elaborate headdresses. Many traditional headdresses, like this one, are decorated with Golden Eagle feathers, beadwork, wool cloth, and leather and tell of a warrior’s achievements in battle. Individual...
Miwok Indians; Miwok Indians--Social life and customs; Musical instruments; Indians of North America--Music; Indians of North America--California
Clap sticks are used to keep rhythm in most Central Californian Native American dances. The stick is hit against the hand, causing the two split sides to clap together. 4-8 men clap sticks simultaneously while singing. At a certain point in the...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress; Bags; Indians of North America -- Great Plains; Indians of North America -- Great Plains -- Social life and customs
Native American bags were often decorated with paint, beadwork, or quillwork with specific tribal designs. These designs sometimes revealed the specific use of the bag, such as a medicine bag or tobacco bag. This particular bag may have been...
Otavalo (Ecuador); Otavalo Indians; Otavalo Indians -- Social life and customs; Indians of South America; Dolls; Indian dolls
The Otavalo Indians of Ecuador produce some of the finest weavings and crafts. Many of their products are sold in the town of Otavalo at the Indian Market, one of the most famous and largest indigenous markets in South America. Otavalo is the...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress; Oglala Indians; Oglala Indians -- Social life and customs; Footwear; Moccasins; Shoes
Moccasins are one type of traditional Native American footwear. Different types of moccasins were made for different climates and uses. Soft-sole moccasins were typically worn in Woodlands regions of the eastern United States where the ground was...
Indians of North America; Salish Indians; Salish Indians -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Indians of North America -- Implements
Salish women used large baskets or other containers to carry wood, crops, or water. A heavy load was made lighter by using a tumpline to distribute the weight. The tumpline would be placed around the container and then across the forehead of the...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Kiowa indians; Kiowa indians -- Clothing; Footwear; Moccasins; Clothing and dress
Moccasins are one type of traditional Native American footwear. Different types of moccasins were made for different climates and uses. Soft-sole moccasins were typically worn in Woodlands regions of the eastern United States where the ground was...
