The land currently known as the United States was once the inhabited by the people of the mighty Mohawk, Pueblo, Seminole, Hopi, Apache, Cherokee and Navajo nations, as well as many other tribal societies. Each was independent of the others, with their own governments, spiritual beliefs, culture, history and art style. Many Native American gift shops will off authentic tribal crafts for sale.
A lot of stores that cater to tourist will sell novelty items and products based on the iconic images of the various tribes. These are typically things like dolls wearing traditional costumes, drums, headdresses, tomahawks, dream catchers, beaded pieces, paintings, postcards and key rings. In such circumstances, those goods are generally mass produced in factories instead of created by hand.
Often located near the reservations or other areas with high tribal concentrations, stores that feature merchandise of authentic origin are quite popular. Their inventory contains items that are individually crafted by the hands of actual tribal artisans who practice the traditional ways. With pride in the quality and personal attention to detail, each product is a unique treasure.
To craft in the traditional styles and be truly authentic, the artisans should use only natural materials as their ancestors did for hundreds of years. Construction typically includes such things as natural types of clay, silver, wool, fur, leather, gems, stones, quills and feathers, as examples. Every piece is done by hand and favored subject matters are human forms, landscapes and the elements in the skies, often featuring earthen tones, geometric shapes and spiritual symbolism.
A lot of people who seek out authentic and traditionally styled crafts of high quality often appreciate the skill of basketry. Each region varied their techniques depending on the materials that were available to work with. As an example, all types of baskets, trays and jars are constructed of whale baleen in the far north area of Alaska, thin strips of wood in the northeast and grass or yucca leaves in the southwestern zones.
Pottery is one of the oldest art forms known to man and the styles of the Pueblos, Hopi, Navajo, Cherokee and Catawba are each very distinctive. To be authentically traditional, craftsmen use natural clay and create the structures by hand without the use of potter's wheels. Colors are all derived from organic sources like minerals and plants, and stones or pine pitch are used to achieve a lustrous or shiny finish.
Both haunting and captivating, kachina dolls are specialties of the many Pueblo tribes such as the Hopi, Zuni and Navajo, and are actively sought out by collectors. They are totems generally in forms representing the spirits of men, animals and the sun, often shown as dancing. The figurines are said to have the supernatural ability to perform actions like increasing fertility, assuring good health or well being and even making it rain.
Beading is an art that will vary in style with each region. Seed beads are used by almost all traditional artisans to add embellishment to many items, including shoes, clothing, fabrics, pipes, drums and basket handles, as well as to create beautiful jewelry. There are hundreds of authentic traditional tribal crafts that one may find and enjoy.
A lot of stores that cater to tourist will sell novelty items and products based on the iconic images of the various tribes. These are typically things like dolls wearing traditional costumes, drums, headdresses, tomahawks, dream catchers, beaded pieces, paintings, postcards and key rings. In such circumstances, those goods are generally mass produced in factories instead of created by hand.
Often located near the reservations or other areas with high tribal concentrations, stores that feature merchandise of authentic origin are quite popular. Their inventory contains items that are individually crafted by the hands of actual tribal artisans who practice the traditional ways. With pride in the quality and personal attention to detail, each product is a unique treasure.
To craft in the traditional styles and be truly authentic, the artisans should use only natural materials as their ancestors did for hundreds of years. Construction typically includes such things as natural types of clay, silver, wool, fur, leather, gems, stones, quills and feathers, as examples. Every piece is done by hand and favored subject matters are human forms, landscapes and the elements in the skies, often featuring earthen tones, geometric shapes and spiritual symbolism.
A lot of people who seek out authentic and traditionally styled crafts of high quality often appreciate the skill of basketry. Each region varied their techniques depending on the materials that were available to work with. As an example, all types of baskets, trays and jars are constructed of whale baleen in the far north area of Alaska, thin strips of wood in the northeast and grass or yucca leaves in the southwestern zones.
Pottery is one of the oldest art forms known to man and the styles of the Pueblos, Hopi, Navajo, Cherokee and Catawba are each very distinctive. To be authentically traditional, craftsmen use natural clay and create the structures by hand without the use of potter's wheels. Colors are all derived from organic sources like minerals and plants, and stones or pine pitch are used to achieve a lustrous or shiny finish.
Both haunting and captivating, kachina dolls are specialties of the many Pueblo tribes such as the Hopi, Zuni and Navajo, and are actively sought out by collectors. They are totems generally in forms representing the spirits of men, animals and the sun, often shown as dancing. The figurines are said to have the supernatural ability to perform actions like increasing fertility, assuring good health or well being and even making it rain.
Beading is an art that will vary in style with each region. Seed beads are used by almost all traditional artisans to add embellishment to many items, including shoes, clothing, fabrics, pipes, drums and basket handles, as well as to create beautiful jewelry. There are hundreds of authentic traditional tribal crafts that one may find and enjoy.
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