Native American Crafts
The Native American Indians were known for many different things over the
years but they thing that has always been very popular are the many different
Native American crafts that they made and are still being made to this day.
Learning about Native American crafts is a huge and interesting topic, since
these Native crafts are an essential part of all facets of Native American
cultures and beliefs. These crafts varied greatly among the many different
Native American tribes that once inhabited the vast land of modern day America.
Some of the most widely known of these crafts are things such as Native American
bead work, Native American rugs and blankets and also the Native American
pottery.
Before the Natives came in contact with the European settlers the Native Americans
made beautiful objects that they would decorate with many natural materials
they found in their own area or they acquired through trading. The trading routes
spanned North and South America and even spread as far as the Caribbean, this
gave the Natives access to many kinds of materials such as different metals,
semi-precious stones, various animal bones, shells, and even feathers were some
of the trade items. The Natives would use all these materials to make some of
the first Native American crafts which were their colorful and unique beadwork.
This beadwork was used for many reasons spiritually, symbolically and they even
traded them and offered them as gifts to visitors.
Certain Native American tribes
adorned much of their clothing with beads as well, including their moccasins.
As more travelers came through the areas the Natives were soon able to obtain
glass beads via trade and the beadwork became even more popular. Some of the
other very popular Native American crafts that were highly sought after by outsiders
for trade were the beautifully hand made symmetrically woven blankets and rugs
that were made famous in the Southwest of America. The Native Americans also
made different kinds of silver jewelry when they started acquiring silver from
trading their other crafts. Native American pottery is another example of the
fine craftwork that was perfected by these Native indigenous people. Many Native
American crafts are seen worldwide today and many are still made in the traditional
Native American fashion.
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