Native American Culture
Visual Arts
•Much of Native American art, even the art produced for
ceremonies, is functional (art created to be used).
•The Apache were famous for their beautiful clothing items
made to honor their warriors and religious leaders.
•The Navajo were famous for their colorful blankets woven
from sheep and goat wool.
•The colors and detailed designs used in Native American
art show that artists spent extra time creating the art and
must have loved beauty.
Visual Arts
Ganado Red Rug
by Lucille Martinez (Navajo)
Derwin Velarde (Jicarilla Apache)
Men's Traditional Dancer
Powwow - Photographs by Ben Marra
© Ben Marra 1996
Traditional Navajo rug, c. 1900; Taylor Collection, Hastings, Eng.
Credit: Richard Erdoes—Alpha/Globe Photos
Visual Arts
•Pottery and basketry is found in nearly all Native
American nations.
•The medium for pottery is clay. The Native American
artists used this clay to make dishes and decorative pieces.
•The medium for basketry is plant fibers. These fibers are
woven together to create the basket. Baskets had many
functions. Mothers carried their babies in them, food was
gathered and stored in baskets, and some nations used
them in burials. One basket might take dozens of hours to
create.
Visual Arts
http://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/mcbride/ws200/pott.htm
http://www.kidsart.com/Artmap/kasw.html
http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-67370/Traditional-Pueblo-Indianpottery-is-made-entierly-by-hand
Visual Arts
http://www.tahoeculture.com/events/north-shoreevents/9th-annual-native-american-basketweaversgathering-sept-22-23/
Minnie Bell, a Choctaw from Ripley, Tenn.,
weaves a traditional split cane basket during
the 2005 Moundville Native American
Festival. (Photo by UA Office of Photography)
http://brethartman.wordpress.com/tag/native-american-basket-weaving/
Visual Arts
•Some Native American nations, including the Shawnee of
Kentucky, created bead from shells. These beads were
used in their regalia (traditional Native American dress) or
were traded to other Native American nations. The beads
could be made into jewelry, belts, or sewn onto the clothing.
•Larger shells, known as gorgets, were worn around men’s
necks. These shells were often carved in designs that told
stories or gave family history.
Visual Arts
http://www.native-languages.org/beadwork.htm
http://www.bakerblockmuseum.org/naculture.htm
http://www.nativetech.org/wampum/wamppics.htm
Visual Arts
•The Pacific Northwest Coast Native Americans were
famous for their carved, wooden masks and their totem
poles.
•The masks were brightly colored and were worn by
dancers in religious ceremonies.
•The totem poles were carved from whole logs. The
totems (symbols) each had special meanings and often
told the history of the tribe or a family with the tribe.
Visual Arts
http://www.anthroposgallery.com/g
allery/bellamask.html
http://schoolworkhelper.net/north-americanindians-totem-poles/
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/N
oAmerica/Native%20American%20
Tlingit%20Mask%203.htm
Dance
•Although there were some social (just for entertainment)
Native American dances, most dances were ceremonial
(performed for celebrations, worship, or other special
occasions).
•Native American dances often told stories, such as the
story of a very successful hunt.
•Drums were the main instrument used during Native
American dances. On occasion, flute-like instruments
accompanied the drums.
•The rhythm was the most important element.
Dance
•Even though some were similar, each Native American
nation had its own dances. Some examples are listed
below:
•The Shawnee celebrated the corn harvest, when corn was
ripe enough to pick in early summer, by performing the
Green Corn Dance.
•The Chickasaw performed the Snake Dance, honoring the
snake for its patience and skill as a hunter. During the
dance, the dancers formed a long line, following the head
dancer. The head dancer imitated the movement of the
snake closing in on prey.
•The Cherokee performed the Stomp Dance. This dance
involved a lot of forceful movements and a very loud song.
The leader began the dancing and singing. The other
dancers answered with their voice and movements. Shells,
deer hoofs, and turtle-shell rattles were fastened to dancers’
Dance
•A hundred years ago, Native American dancing was almost
wiped out. The American government would not allow it.
•Today, however, dance is an important part of powwows
and other social events where Native Americans gather to
celebrate their cultural heritage.
Dance
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/12969
0/Dancers-at-a-Canadian-powwow
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/viewimage.php?image=3219&picture=nativeamerican-dance
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-08-04/local/17934180_1_thunderbirdamerican-indian-dancers-powwow-tribes
Music
•Native American music was always performed with drums
and other percussion instruments, such as rattles and
shakers.
•Drums were played in unison and maintained a steady
beat.
•Most Native American cultures also had flutes and
whistles, but these were minor instruments, played by a
single musician.
•Most singing was done as a group during Native American
ceremonies.
•Native American singers never harmonized. Everyone did
not have to sing on key.
Music
•Special songs were sung to celebrate life events, such as
the birth of a new baby, children becoming adults,
marriages, and deaths.
•Special songs were also sung for safe travels, success in a
hunt, or a victory in battle.
•All Native American ceremonies included singing,
drumming, and dancing.
•Native American music and songs were never recreational
(performed just for entertainment).
•Songs and dances performed at family and tribe
gatherings told the history of the people.
•Native American music has had little influence on American
music today.
Music
Turtle Shell Rattle
Bull Horn
Rattles
Drums
Flute
Powwow Drum
http://nativemusichistory.blogspot.com/2009/05/iii-traditional-instruments-of-native.html
Drama
•Native Americans do not put on plays.
•Storytelling is very important to their culture.
•The storyteller usually has a drum to beat as the story is told.
These drumbeats serve as illustrations.
•While telling the story, the storyteller uses facial and vocal
expressions, body movement, diction, speaking style, and
nonverbal expression. These performance elements help the
story come alive.
•While Native American stories entertain, their most important
purpose was to teach children to respect and honor living
things. It was important for them to live in harmony with the
earth.
•In Native American stories, animals are cute or funny. They
are equal partners with people. They too own the land, water,
and sky.
Drama
http://www.travel-studies.com/blogs/colleen
Resource
Arts & Humanities: The Student Handbook
Elementary Edition—Intermediate Grades 4-5
By Katie Fraser Carpenter