Native American people represent only 1% of the population in the United States today even though they once dominated the entire North American continent. While many of these native groups have almost disappeared along with their culture, some of their beautiful art remains. Below is a discussion of five types of Native American art you might like to display in your home or give as an unusual gift.
Southwestern Kachinas
Kachinas are dolls which were created as representations of spirits or entities from the culture’s spiritual beliefs. After being crated, they were given to the children of the tribes as part of their instruction in the basic understanding of the myths and legends that shaped Hopi culture at the time. Frequently, these dolls were distributed during the dances which occurred between the Winter Solstice in December through the middle of July. During the dances, other members of the tribe would dress up as large forms of the Kachinas and would dance while others would pass out the dolls to the children. Both male and female dancers would be involved in the dances. Additionally, the dolls would be accompanied by gifts of other useful toys, such as bows and arrows, and sometimes sweets.
American Indian Pottery
Many of the most notable American Indian groups were responsible for creating some of the most beautiful pottery imaginable. These groups, including the Zuni and the Navajo, improved their creative arts of the decades and developed their pottery to be more than just practical. It also became highly artistic and beautiful symbols of their culture. There are a wide range of different types of pottery available. You will still find many practical pieces of pottery that represent the daily lives of the people who have nearly been driven to extinction themselves while other pieces are ornate and decorative because they were used for the very important ceremonial parts of the culture.
Southwestern Sand Art
Another popular type of Native American art found in the southwest is known as Sand Art. Many of the groups in this area of the United States had the ability to do this type of intricate, delicate work because they had become very settled and had long given up the nomadic lifestyles of most of their ancestors. Many of the most beautiful pieces were created on large 12 foot high looms, and these existing pieces stand today as a testament to the beauty and culture of these people. The sand art paintings were often created to represent images and symbols important to the culture, particularly to the spiritual aspects of the culture. The geometric patterns which characterize these art styles are also very common throughout modern art forms in the West and even in Mexico.
Southwestern Jewelry
Many beautiful pieces of jewelry have come from the workings of Native American silversmiths. The Navajo are believed to have been the first of the tribes to learn this art in the middle 19th century. They quickly began to use the skill to add silver to many of the items they used in their daily lives and eventually into the artistic elements of their culture. Jewelry clearly became one of them. The Navajo and other tribes were able to create and trade their silver crafts with the settlers in the area very profitably which is one reason why their beautiful silver jewelry and other items has become so popular around the country. But the jewelry also commonly includes turquoise which was a treasured stone of the Native Americans in the area and was considered a symbol that would bring people happiness and good health.
Southwestern Artifacts
Besides the other types of art throughout the Native American culture, many of their artifacts demonstrate important aspects of their culture and their beliefs. For example, much of the artwork was created using the hides of animals from the area. These hides were unique and beautiful. The tribes also made the popular Mandela art pieces which played a role in their spiritual pursuits, as well as decorative shields, drums, and other items that were beautiful then and still make a striking statement as part of your home d
Related posts:
- Love Life Passion Restored – Discover A Simple Secret On How To Save Your Relationship
You see a young couple holding hands and looking at each other as if they are the only two people in the world. It is obvious they are very much in love. You feel a twinge of sadness as you recall how you and your partner were also once so... - American Travel Ideas: Amtrak Will Take You Most Anywhere
When I was a child in the 1970′s, my grandmother heard that Amtrak was coming to an end in our part of the country. So, she arranged with my parents to take us kids on a train ride one last time, before the end of an era. Fortunately, we were... - Stunning Raku Pottery Will Enhance Any Decor
Raku pottery has become a popular interior design accessory that is becoming more popular as a technique with professional potters and hobby pottery enthusiasts and more widely used to enhance any d... - Wrought Iron Decor Works for Home or Garden
The look of wrought iron enhances the home and garden area. This has become very popular in the last few years and the look is so unique. Outdoors can be brought indoors and vice versa. There is no wrong way to decorate when using wrought iron. Wrought Iron Indoor Decor... - Choosing The Right Dinnerware
Have you ever gone to a store to find the “right” dinnerware to find out that there are some absolutely gorgeous patterns available, but they are so limited in the choice of more than dinner plate, luncheon plate, and maybe a soup bowl? Oh, yes, let’s not forget the ubiquitous... - The Appropriate Use Of Color And Light Can Enhance Your Next Home Decoration Project
When decorating, a common challenge that many people face is attempting to make a relatively small space appear larger. Fortunately there are several decorating techniques that can be used to achieve a more spacious look. First, and perhaps most important, the proper use of color will go a long way... - Planning Your River Rafting Trip With The Kids
Most kids will be thrilled to go on a whitewater rafting trip or adventure, and it’s a terrific opportunity for a family vacation or get-together. You’ll need to pack a few extra items to make sure the trip is fun and safe for everyone involved, and kids will need to... - Why To Celebrate Wedding On A Budget
He’s popped the question. The ring is on your finger. Now comes the stressful part. You want to throw the wedding of your dreams, but you’re not Donald Trump’s kid. What do you do? Statistics say the average wedding costs $20,000. Most young girls dream of the fairy tale wedding: ... - How To Use Your Race To Get Rich
Amid recent news reports that there continues to be an ongoing and substantial gap between the net worth of Whites and other racial groups, it is easy to be distracted and overwhelmed by the raw data. However, I am immediately reminded of a quote offered by an economic expert from... - Wood Crafts for Home Decor
When you choose wood crafts for your home decor you will be choosing one of the best looks available. Real wood is a very sturdy and lasting material that will be a part of your family for generations if you so choose. Many from which to choose are available to... - Cheap Tattoos Cheapen The Tattooing Experience
Many of my girlfriends have “girl nights” around getting tattoos, as if it were as casual as getting a haircut or a manicure. The casual attitude toward tattoos bothers me for two reasons; there is the age old argument that tattoos are permanent and not a decision to make lightly.... - Article Marketing Advice: Increasing the Readability of Your Articles
When it comes to writing articles to promote your online business, it’s important to consider more than just your marketing goals: it’s essential that you also focus on writing articles that people will want to read. In other words, you don’t just want to use words; and you don’t want... - Bipolar Order And Support Groups
Everyone hates them and not one wants to go to support groups. But, think about why that is. Is it too hard for you to do? Do you hate admitting that something could be wrong? Perhaps you are like one of the many that actually find themselves struggling with the... - Online Brand Protection: Don’t Get Crazy
Previously we discussed some of the issues surrounding the protection of your online brand. It is true that there are people out there who intend to misuse and abuse brand associations that others worked hard to create, and there are steps to take to limit them. After all, hard work... - Time To Think Made In America
It is estimated that there are approximately 293 million people currently living in the United States and if each one would change only $20 a month in their spending from imported products and instead purchased American made products, it might well create as many as 5 million new jobs. Certainly...