Native American ARTIFACTS

Native American ARTIFACTS

Artifacts are defined as a product of human workmanship, especially as
applied to the simpler products of aboriginal art as distinguished from
natural objects.
While it is generally assumed that artifacts are items that are
recovered from an archeological site, by definition, this is not
necessarily true.
When collecting Native American artifacts, you may choose to add to
unearthed treasures to your collection or modern reproductions that
carry the same traditional symbolism.

Drums
Just as rhythm is at the root of our daily lives, so it is for Native Americans.
For a people who feel spiritually connected with all that surround
them, they no doubt are in tune to the rhythm in their steps as they
walked across an open field or the steady beat of a running stream as
it rushes by or the nighttime pulse of the cricket singing a twilight
lullaby or the heartbeat of a new born baby. These are constant
reminders that they share a heartbeat with mother earth.
As recognizable as the Prayer Pipe, the Native American drum has stood
the test of time as a symbol of purpose. Whether as part of a
ceremonial ritual, or as the backbone to a war cry, the beat of a drum
in Native American culture is a constant.
Traditional drums are made from cow, goat, sheep, deer or buffalo
hides, which have been soaked and stretched, producing a deep resonant
sound.

Jaw Bones
Originally used as a tool for cleaning animals after the hunt by
Navajo’s, jawbones come from slaughtered cows and can be decorated with
a variety of painted images, leather, fur and feathers.

Mandela
Originally designed as a protective shield during battle, the Mandela
was decorated as many Native American utilitarian items were. The
symbols and designs represent spiritual, tribal and traditional values
and meanings.
When the Mandela was no longer adequate for defensive purposes, they
continued to be created, serving as decoration for one’s dwelling, much
like a family crest, and believed to protect one’s home from evil
spirits.
Traditional Mandela’s are made from rawhide or leather, and are decorated with paints, beads and feathers.

Quiver
Similar in composition to the Mandela, traditional Native American
quivers were made from rawhide or leather and decorated with paint,
beads, fur and feathers.

Dream Catchers
Easily recognized as one of the more popular pieces of Native American
art collection, the Dream Catcher has a long history and tradition.
Created to protect the dreamer from bad spirit dreams, the Dream
Catcher is placed near the bed. The woven web center will catch the
evil spirits while good spirit dreams will travel down the feathers
that surround the web and provide pleasant dreams.
Dream Catchers are traditionally made with leather strings and decorated with feathers and beads.

Pottery
While pottery is one of the oldest utilitarian items in existence, two
of the more popular tribes collected and reproduced are the Navajo and
Pueblo.
Cruder in appearance, traditional Navajo pottery has thicker walls and
little decoration, ending with a pine pitch coating to help seal the
clay walls from seepage.
Pueblo pottery is daintier and more meticulously detailed and painted.




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Being Indian its not,
Just the "Blood"....Its "Living the way"......
{Karenshadowdancer}