Post by blackcrowheart on May 17, 2007 13:42:32 GMT -5
Native American beading embodies symbolism
Story and photos
By Connie Harshman
Herald Democrat
It’s an intricate art full of color and symbolism. Beading is an important ingredient to the Native American culture and has been a part of the culture since before Christopher Columbus. According to www.native-languages.org, originally beads were carved from shells, coral, turquoise, copper, silver, wood, amber, ivory and animal bones. Today, glass beads and particularly seed beads are the main materials for traditional beaders of several tribes.
Some of the traits required for beading are patience, nimble fingers and a tolerance for blood.
Beading is used in many facets of the culture, from home decor to ceremonial symbolism. Traditionally the knowledge is passed down through generations.
Durant native Shirley Barbone has been beading for 40 years.
Barbone, a full-blooded Choctaw Indian, learned to bead from her grandmother as a child, helping her make headdresses and jewelry.
Some of Barbone’s favorite things to create are dresses, shirts, headdresses and other forms of beaded jewelry. She uses needles, thread, beeswax and variations of beads.
“I feel like a part of me is going with it, and a lot of bloodshed from when I prick my fingers,” she said. “I take a sense of pride in what I do knowing that it’s going to mean something to someone.”
According to Barbone, if anyone is around Native Americans, they know that they tend to put their God above all else and that shows in the work.
“We intentionally put flaws into our work. My grandma told us that if you make a piece perfectly it means you have nothing to look forward to,” she said. “Before all of my projects I pray and ask for God, or the Great Spirit, to guide my hand.”
Traditionally Native American dancers are known to bead their own regalia or have someone close to them do it.
Comanche dancer Marty Thurman’s wife created the bead work for his dancing outfit. “The designs that I have are teepee designs, and as far as the horses. I’ve always liked horses,” said Thurman. Besides his love for horses, the symbol of the horse holds special meaning.
“My mother had started a carpet design company, Native American Carpet Not Southwest Design. Her design behind her company, her logo was a horse which symbolized her,” he said. “She hit the ground running with her business and she really did. She passed away from cancer and on her gravestone she wanted a horse. So I was trying to incorporate my mother in my dancing and when I see that horse I am reminded that my mother is there.”
Thurman said he and his wife have a similar mindset about making his beadwork flashy.
“A lot of times when people are designing regalia, people want something that is going to stand out and for people to see and know that is them. Even if they can see their face, they know who that person is,” said Thurman.
“My grandmother told me to always thank the creator for the talent that was given to me,” said Barbone.
For Barbone, beading is a way to say thank you to her ancestors. “I enjoy keeping the Indian culture alive and more interesting for the younger generation,” she said.
Story and photos
By Connie Harshman
Herald Democrat
It’s an intricate art full of color and symbolism. Beading is an important ingredient to the Native American culture and has been a part of the culture since before Christopher Columbus. According to www.native-languages.org, originally beads were carved from shells, coral, turquoise, copper, silver, wood, amber, ivory and animal bones. Today, glass beads and particularly seed beads are the main materials for traditional beaders of several tribes.
Some of the traits required for beading are patience, nimble fingers and a tolerance for blood.
Beading is used in many facets of the culture, from home decor to ceremonial symbolism. Traditionally the knowledge is passed down through generations.
Durant native Shirley Barbone has been beading for 40 years.
Barbone, a full-blooded Choctaw Indian, learned to bead from her grandmother as a child, helping her make headdresses and jewelry.
Some of Barbone’s favorite things to create are dresses, shirts, headdresses and other forms of beaded jewelry. She uses needles, thread, beeswax and variations of beads.
“I feel like a part of me is going with it, and a lot of bloodshed from when I prick my fingers,” she said. “I take a sense of pride in what I do knowing that it’s going to mean something to someone.”
According to Barbone, if anyone is around Native Americans, they know that they tend to put their God above all else and that shows in the work.
“We intentionally put flaws into our work. My grandma told us that if you make a piece perfectly it means you have nothing to look forward to,” she said. “Before all of my projects I pray and ask for God, or the Great Spirit, to guide my hand.”
Traditionally Native American dancers are known to bead their own regalia or have someone close to them do it.
Comanche dancer Marty Thurman’s wife created the bead work for his dancing outfit. “The designs that I have are teepee designs, and as far as the horses. I’ve always liked horses,” said Thurman. Besides his love for horses, the symbol of the horse holds special meaning.
“My mother had started a carpet design company, Native American Carpet Not Southwest Design. Her design behind her company, her logo was a horse which symbolized her,” he said. “She hit the ground running with her business and she really did. She passed away from cancer and on her gravestone she wanted a horse. So I was trying to incorporate my mother in my dancing and when I see that horse I am reminded that my mother is there.”
Thurman said he and his wife have a similar mindset about making his beadwork flashy.
“A lot of times when people are designing regalia, people want something that is going to stand out and for people to see and know that is them. Even if they can see their face, they know who that person is,” said Thurman.
“My grandmother told me to always thank the creator for the talent that was given to me,” said Barbone.
For Barbone, beading is a way to say thank you to her ancestors. “I enjoy keeping the Indian culture alive and more interesting for the younger generation,” she said.