The Ojibwa made the original dream catchers.
The Anishinabe, who were dubbed the Ojibwa by Europeans, were found throughout the Great Lakes regions. They were made up of nomadic tribes that had a number of handicrafts which they developed from the rich resources of the land. They were especially known for their basketweaving and beadwork. It is from the Ojibwa that one of the most popularly-known symbols of Native Americans comes -- the dream catcher.
Baskets
Basket weaving was a craft requiring a great deal of patience and skill.
At the heart of Ojibwa basket-weaving is the legend of a leader named Black Elk who appealed to the Creator to care for his people. The Creator instructed them to bury Black Elk's ashes and from those ashes grew the black ash tree. When the tree was fully grown, they stripped it, dried it, pounded the wood into strips and began to learn the art of basket-weaving. The task was said to teach the people patience and provide for their needs for they could sell the baskets made with their great skill. Ojibwa also made baskets out of willow, cedar root, basswood and sweet grass.
Birch Crafts
Ojibwa used birch for a number of crafts including the making of canoes.
Some crafts grew out of entertainment as well as out of the need to craft items for use or sale. One of these forms of crafts that are traditional among the Ojibwa and the Cree is the tradition of birch biting. After gathering birch bark, Ojibwa would gather in the evening and make bite marks in pleasing patterns on the birch cutouts. These patterns could later be used as stencils or patterns for other crafts.
Another form of Ojibwa crafts using birch bark was the making of birch bark pins. These were typically carved into the shapes of animals, plants or spirits and then painted. Other birch bark crafts included the making of canoes, household containers, wigwam coverings and floor mats.
Dream Catchers
Dreamcatchers were made to put above the crib of a child.
Dream catchers are a relatively modern craft, though stories related to spider webs protecting children date back to ancient times. Widely recognized and associated with Native Americans, it was the Ojibwa who first began making them. They were made with wooden hoops and a web made of nettle-stalk cord that was dyed red wild plum inner bark and bloodroot. A feather was put in the middle of the web to represent air and life.
Beadwork
Bandolier bags frequently had white backgrounds with floral motifs.
Beadwork was an important craft among the Ojibwa and items made from beads were often used for trading because of the fine handicraft and designs. Evidence of bandolier bags made with intricate geometric and floral beading designs can be found among the Ojibwa from the 1600s forward. Ojibwa used glass beads after contact with Europeans, but before that beads were made from natural materials including precious stones, wood, shells, coral, amber, ivory, animal bones, animal teeth and animal horns.
Related posts
Selecting a Native American-themed craft that is easy for children to make can be done by adjusting activities to the age group you are working with. Most of these fun and educational crafts appea...
Bookmarks are an inexpensive craft that can be customized to your particular theme.Many parties and summer camps call for western-themed crafts. Crafting does not need to be an expensive endeavor....
Most Native American dream catchers include bead and feather adornments.Being a Girl Scout is about learning, helping others and developing an appreciation for nature and culture. By introducing N...
The Cherokee are Native Americans originally from the Southeastern United States, in states such as Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The Cherokee were proud craftspeople who took pride in thei...
You can mimic the sound of a bird by creating your own bird call.Creating your own bird call craft serves an educational purpose. By mimicking the sound of birds, you can attract birds out of hidi...
