Culture Within Culture: Native American Rugs
Table of Contents
Native American rugs serve the purpose of much more than leisure serving equipment. Instead, they carry history, culture and art of weaving that has been nurtured over time. There are many tribes in Canada and the United States and among them are the Navajo and the Pueblo, a more well known of them who have great weaving expertise. There is quite a high level of art in each rug and as such they are hard not to Murdoch – collectors and fans. They have interesting legends and even more vivid pictures on them.
Tracing The History of Native American Rugs
There are two central advantages that each culture of history possesses: imagination and value for function. Each of these has a flaw that sends the culture back into the ages. In this case, it concerns the history of Native American rugs, attics were built a long time ago by Zuni women and are still made by my married woman.
If one were to delve into their culture, one would find that one of the most significant, if not the most, contributions of the Navajo tribe is the craft of rug weaving. The Navajos were introduced to the art of weaving by Pueblo Indians who already mastered the technique. By the turn of the late 17th century there were also other innovations made in the span of their art such as the introduction of wool from sheep of Spanish colonists which was used by the Navajo weavers to produce durable and colorful materials-in this case textiles.
The Making of Native American Rugs
It is a painstaking activity that also has its precision, perseverance, persistence, and knowledge of the cultural context in which the object will be placed. The materials, design, and color individually, and especially collectively, leave no room for lazy thinking. In the ordinary practice of weavers, they use their own hand-spun yarn which is usually colored using plant, mineral or insect colorants. Like red and brown, yellow and green which are the most common and important color in colored rugs among native American rugs are made of these- pigments or dyes.
The weaver uses a vertical loom, and from this it can be said that the weaver hides the yarn to create beautiful intricate designs. Geometric shapes, zigzags, diamonds and even staircases incorporated in the Elseviers glossary graphics of the Native Americans do not capture the abstraction but rather features from nature, religion, and the day to day activities. There is always a story behind the design of every rug, which either expresses the mountains, the water or the sky, and each piece becomes different because of the artist’s interpretation.
The Importance of Native American Rugs Beyond Artistic Works
Native American rugs are not just an item for beautification in houses; they stand for the hard work and talent of the people it belongs to. Some rugs give the stories of their people and therefore each rug’s uniqueness holds the cultural heritage of the tribe. To many Native American tribes, it is not merely work, but it is a way of life that is so spiritual and connects them to their forefathers. Each pattern in the rug has a unique picture depicted into it probably for symbolism and meaning giving, and etc.
For the sake of these people, Native American rugs are more than just items of intent. Collecting authentic rugs created by professionals also provides high value and the possibility of inheritance through generations. Also, buying Native American rugs woven by the indigenous people helps in keeping the traditional crafts alive as well as the artists who practice their trade.
Conclusion
Native American rugs represent a unique corset made up of history, of art and culture, and cultural inheritance. Ranging from their ancient history, to the modern day creative artistry focusing on rug-making, these rugs are central in the lives of the native American people. The patterns and stories can be told through each rug in regard to the colonized nations which makes the pieces beautiful and cultural. And from beautiful native rugs comes beautiful embroidery craftsmanship that has withstood the hands of men for several centuries up to date, and which is appreciated around the globe.
Frequently asked questions concerning Native American Rugs
Q1: What are Native American rugs made of?
A: In earlier days, Native American rugs were made by handspun wool, the dye colors used were also produced from plant, insect and mineral based natural products.
Q2: Are all Native American rugs made primarily by Navajo?
A: There are several peoples trying their hand in making rugs and textiles besides Navajos, and these include the Pueblo and the Hopi as well.
Q3: How can one spot an original Native American rug?
A: Authentic rugs from Native Americans cannot be mass-produced but are individually handcrafted. A simple and accurate method to check if the rug has been mass-produced rather than an original is to look for the artist tag or certificate of the rug dealer.
Q4: Why do most Native American rugs have geometric patterns?
A: Geometric shapes used in making those rugs are more than mere patterns since they are imbued with meanings such as aspects pertaining to nature, as well as religious and cultural stories that have been transmitted from one generation to another.
Q5: What is the significance of Native American rugs in culture?A: Native American rugs entail strong cultural context and are an embodiment of the history, customs and faith of the American tribes. And are not only decorative objects but also serve as a means of protection and respect for the history of Native Americans.
