Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Search Native American Merchandise Online

By Daphne Bowen


The New World was occupied by many great nations made up of several individual tribes prior to the Europeans colonizing it. Each one had its own culture, belief system and unique style of craftsmanship and artistry. Modern descendants from these mighty people strive to carry on the treasured traditions of quality crafting, enabling the masses to buy authentic Native American merchandise online easily.

Living mostly on, or around reservations, many of the tribes still exists as independent nations, keeping their traditions and history alive. There are those living inside the borders, as well as out, who make it their mission to continue the various art forms of their ancestors, utilizing the same materials and techniques. Unique skills such as these are treasures passed from one generation to another

Tribal art typically represents the things the people felt most spiritually connected with such as animals, nature, the sun, moon, stars and religion. Traditionally, natural products are used to create the items, lending a very special ambiance to each and every artfully crafted piece. Some of the materials commonly utilized include wood, beads, feathers, leather, sand, bone, wool, stone, shell, gems, hides, clay, silver and quills, as well as other things.

Companies that sell reproduction items that look like the tribal pieces, produce them in bulk. Made on assembly lines or by machines, the products are fabricated using mostly synthetics like plastic, acrylic and nylon. Anything that claims to be authentic will be crafted by hand in the traditional styles, most likely using natural materials.

Souvenir focused websites tend to feature such popular items as beaded purses, dream catchers, seed bead bracelets, jewelry made of silver and turquoise, drums, moccasins and totem poles. These are the type of things that the general population associates with the tribal communities most easily. They also sell novelty products like books, paintings, posters, key chains and trinkets.

A more elite line of products are typically offered on websites that feature authentically crafted pieces. These could be such items as carvings in soapstone or whale bone done by the Alaskan Innuit and Yupik tribes, or enchanting kachina dolls that are a Hopi specialty. Navajo rugs are frequently sought out because each one is an original piece, hand woven on a loom using high quality wool with the greatest of skill.

Woven baskets, clay pottery, beaded works, musical instruments, dolls and masks are all available in the individual styles of over a hundred different tribes. Crafted by hand, they are each a true artistic treasure. Avid collectors may even be able to locate hard to find pieces that have been decorated with porcupine quills, a material that through an intricate preparation procedure, was used for decorating clothing before the discovery of beads. And which has since become an obscure skill.

Specialized crafts are generally found on websites that prioritize authenticity. The traditional chieftain and warrior style headdresses of each nation are truly amazing works of art. Baleen baskets, intricate sand paintings, hoop masks, medicine wheels and fetish carvings are products desired by many who appreciate fine skills.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment