Use Indian Baskets For Southwestern Interior Design

Indian baskets have a unique purpose and place in the culture of Native Americans. I love using these colorful baskets to bring Native American style to my home. It is incredible when you start reading the history of Native American basket weaving and find that basket use actually started hundreds of years ago, and is one of the most ancient art forms known in Indian history. Indian baskets, like those made by the Pueblo, Apache, Navajo and Tarahumara Tribes are famous for their beautiful, hand-crafted designs and elaborate styles. As you learn about basket weaving, you will find that in the majority of Native American Tribes, women are given the task of basket weaving and are taught as little girls from their mothers. 

Baskets are used for many things in the daily lives of the American Indians, and also give the people a way to make a living by selling them to tourists and collectors. As you will find, Indian baskets not only work well as rustic decorating accessories, but they are also very practical. In the beginning, baskets were weaved in Indigenous culture as a way to protect valuable items like food, clothing, animal hides, blankets and even water. Years ago, Indian Tribes moved frequently and had to design ways to keep their things safe while still being able to move them quickly. Unlike clay pots, baskets were long-lasting and would not break. These days, Tribes still use baskets in their houses and dwellings to protect their things and keep them organized. They also play an important part in Indian events and tribal rituals, such as Navajo wedding ceremonies, and in Apache rights of passage ceremonies. 

There are many kinds of Native baskets and each Tribe has their own designs. Southwestern, Native baskets are some of the most beautiful in the world and are regarded as a true form of art. The way these baskets are made is truly incredible and is very remarkable to watch. The two types of baskets that the Tarahumara Tribe make are the yucca or sotol as it is also known, and baskets made of pine needles. Yucca baskets are very well-known and are made in different patterns and sizes. Pine baskets are more common in higher elevations where pine trees are prevalent, but are smaller than the yucca baskets and are more fragile. There are various kinds of weaving styles Native Tribes use in basket making that vary between Tribes.

The guari style, the most popular weave among the Tarahumara in the Northern Mexican mountain country, is curved on the top, somewhat square, and has four distinguishable corners on the bottom. The petaca is another style of weave used generally in the canyon regions, and is round and often double woven. Sometimes the leaves are run back and forth on a rough stone to smooth the sharp edges before the basket is made. American Indian baskets come in various styles, patterns and colors depending on the Tribe and the region where it is made. Even if you are not able to see basket weaving first-hand and select a beautiful basket of your own, you can still own a piece of this Native American form of art. It is easy to buy southwestern style baskets online and in stores that sell one of a kind, genuine style interior design accessories. Bring Native traditions to life in your home by decorating with unique, hand-crafted Indian baskets.

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