| American Indian art encompasses many | | | | for stringing and /or bending into |
| types of arts and crafts, from the more | | | | various shapes. |
| traditionally and / or stereotypically | | | | As an example of beadwork used for a |
| Native American art such as beadwork and | | | | most practical purpose, the Iroqois |
| pottery, to modern photography, fine | | | | League (Haudenosee) used white and |
| paintings, sculptures and the like. | | | | purple wampum chains made of fresh-water |
| There are many art auctions, both online | | | | clam shells to record sacred ceremonies, |
| and off, that feature this form of | | | | treaties and songs. This practice was |
| American Indian art. | | | | used both before and after the coming of |
| In this article we'll discuss one of the | | | | European settlers. |
| most traditional and historically | | | | Many types of agreements were recorded |
| relevant branches of American Indian | | | | with such beadwork chains. They were |
| art: beadwork. Beadwork of the Native | | | | highly valued and cared for by their |
| American peoples had and has practical | | | | owners. European settlers mistook this |
| as well as decorative; utilitarian as | | | | care and reverence for wampum beads as a |
| well as rich symbolic meaning. | | | | sign that the beads held monetary |
| Beadwork and making of the beads | | | | significance. As such, they mistakenly |
| themselves is a very old craft. Stone, | | | | assumed that the word 'wampum' referred |
| bone and shell beads (such as turquoise | | | | to money, when in actuality these |
| and semi-precious stones) are still made | | | | important beads were much more like very |
| the same ancient way. Little affected by | | | | important original documents. |
| modern technology, the making of beads | | | | To string beads, Native Americans used |
| is still carried out in nearly the exact | | | | animal sinew that is split very fine |
| same way as peoples did thousands of | | | | with which to attach beads to clothing, |
| years ago. | | | | though infrequently strong plant fibers |
| Sea shell bead pieces are among the most | | | | such as hide thongs or nettle were used |
| popular and well known pieces of | | | | for these purposes. |
| regional trade importance for thousands | | | | Today, the Navajos as well as some |
| of years. Nearly everyone has seen | | | | pueblo people still make the ancient |
| American Indian art pieces, from beaded | | | | bead type called the heishii. This is by |
| necklaces to purses, belts and such. | | | | far the most popular and high quantity |
| For the last several decades modern | | | | type of beadwork that is still made |
| beadwork has been replicated in oriental | | | | today as it was in ancient times. These |
| factories and very cheaply imported. | | | | necklaces are also referred to as story |
| This makes it a competing factor against | | | | necklaces as they can be used to tell |
| the top quality beadwork done by | | | | stories, with each bead representing a |
| American Indian craftspeople. The native | | | | character. |
| American crafts people have lost several | | | | Beads and beadwork are a very important |
| millions of dollars (just over an eight | | | | part of archaeological explorations of |
| year period during the 1980s) to these | | | | pre-European history. Beads have |
| fake native beads and beadwork pieces. | | | | survived thousands of years and tell |
| Historically, beads were carved from | | | | many fascinating stories about times we |
| turtle shell, animal horn and deer | | | | weren't around to witness. This is |
| hooves. These were often used for making | | | | particularly true with respect to |
| rattling or tinkling pieces utilized in | | | | beadwork mad of sea shells. Ancient |
| dance. Hunters often wore necklaces put | | | | shell beads have been found thousands of |
| together with animal portions, such as | | | | miles from seas, which indicates various |
| bear claws or wolf claws. These | | | | trade routes and contacts among |
| indicated a hunter's prowess. Bones and | | | | different groups of people. |
| seeds were often steamed to soften them | | | | |