Native American Baskets

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Slide 9

Native American Art

Baskets

Devil’s claw is also called the Unicorn Plant. The Tohono O’odham of southern Arizona have cultivated a variety of devil’s claw, P. parviflora var. hohokamiana, that possesses several unusual characteristics. Instead of black seeds, the plants produce white seeds, which germinate more quickly than the wild species. In addition, the dried capsules are longer, up to 15 inches, and more flexible than non-domesticates. Ethnobotanists believe that this domestication is one of only a handful that occurred for wild native plants north of Mexico. Furthermore, it appears that women were responsible for this process. When cattle became widespread in the desert, O’odham women, who used the pods in their basketry, started to plant devil’s claw in protected areas to prevent livestock consumption. Over time, they chose seeds that produced the longer capsules and seeds that germinated faster. This is "plant wifery."

devils claw

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Slide 10

Native American Art

Baskets

Yucca link

This yucca has been dubbed the soaptree yucca because of the soapy substance found within its roots. Native Americans were the first to use the soaps to wash their hair, bodies and clothes. They also noticed its ability to relieve sunburn and minor inflammation from scratches

and cuts. Cattle ranchers would sometimes feed yucca to cattle during draught as an emergency food. Every part of the yucca plant can be used. Native tribes use parts of the plant for basket weaving, sandals, ropes, belts, crafts, food, and dyes for rugs, fibers and art. The buds, flowers and stalks are edible, raw or cooked.

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Native American Art

Baskets

This Navajo basket was woven of sumac by Elsie Holiday, whose mother-in-law taught her how to weave. Most basket makers are taught by their relatives - parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles.

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Native American Art

Baskets

Navajo baskets were almost a lost art. Stories are how American Indians passed their knowledge to their children. This oral tradition is in most Indian art. This basket has lessons about snakes.

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Native American Art

Baskets

Mary Holiday Black has trained 9 of her children to make baskets. Mary has received many national awards. She says “There are many basket stories. If we stop making the baskets, we lose the stories.”

Each ceremonial basket has a story & a song which are part of a healing, wedding, to bring rain, or for other important events.