While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
Featherwork. The feathers of birds entered largely into
the industries, decorations, war, and worship of the Indians. All common species
lent their plumage on occasion, but there were some that were especially sought:
in the Arctic regions, water birds during their annual migrations; the eagle
everywhere; wild turkeys in their habitat; ravens and flickers on the N. Pacific
coast; woodpeckers, meadow larks, crested quail, mallard ducks, jays,
blackbirds, and orioles in California; and in the Pueblo region, eagles, hawks,
turkeys, and parrots especially. The prominent species in every area were used.
Not willing to depend on the fortunes of the hunt, the Pueblo and Virginia
Indians held eagles and turkeys in captivity until such time as their feathers
were wanted. Property right in eagles of certain localities were recognized by
the Pueblos. In the Arctic regions parkas were made of bird skins sewed
together, the feathers forming an excellent barrier against the cold. To the
southward the skins of young waterfowl, while covered with down, were sewed
together for robes. The historic tribes of the E. cut bird skins into strips and
wove them into blankets in the same way that the western tribes used rabbit
skins. In the turkey robes described by Capt. John Smith and other early
explorers the pretty feathers of these birds were tied in knots to form a
network, out of which beautiful patterned cloaks were wrought. Fans and other
accessories of dress were made of wings or feathers by the Iroquois and other
tribes. The uses of feathers in decoration were numberless. The Western Eskimo
sewed little sprays of down into the seams of garments and bags made of
intestinal membranes, and the California Indians decorated their exquisite
basketry in the same manner. The quills of small birds, split and dyed, were
used for beautiful embroidery and basketry in the same way as porcupine quills.
For giving directness to the flight of arrows, feathers were usually split so
that the halves could be tied or glued to the shaftment in twos or threes. Among
the Eskimo and some of the southwestern Indians the feathers were laid on flat.
Among California tribes bird scalps were used as money, being both a standard of
value and a medium of exchange. The most striking uses of feathers were in
connection with social customs and in symbolism. The masks and the bodies of
performers in ceremonies of the N. Pacific coast were copiously adorned with
down. Feathers worn by the Plains tribes in the hair in dicated rank by their
kind and number, or by the manner of mounting or notching. The decoration of the
stem of the calumet (q. v. ) was of feathers, the colors of which depended on
the purpose for which the calumet was offered. Whole feathers of eagles were
made into war-bonnets, plumes, and long trails for dances and solemnities. In
the Pueblo region feathers played an important role in symbolism and worship
prayer-sticks, wands, altar decorations, and aspergills were made of them. The
downy feather was to the mind of the Indian a kind of bridge between the spirit
world and ours. Creation and other myths spring out of feathers.
Feather technique in its highest development belongs to South America, Central
America, and Polynesia, but there is continuity in the processes from the x.
part of America southward. See Adornment, Art, Clothing, Color symbolism, Eagle,
Exchange, Horse, Ornament, Quillwork, Weaving.
This site
includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes
reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These
items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied .
Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, Frederick Webb Hodge, 1906
