Native American Crafts

Last Updated: Jan 5th, 2009 - 00:08:24

Native Americans & The Missions

Native American Crafts - Rattles
By The Escondido School District
Aug 11, 2006, 15:00 PST

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Rattles

A Native American Craft for Kids

Materials:

Soda cans, clean and dry
Large nail
Hammer
Small dowels appx. 11” long
Beans
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Masking Tape
Markers or crayons

Decorative items if desired:

Yarn or string
Beads
Feathers

Directions:

Remove the pop top from the cans
Using the hammer and large nail punch a hole in the bottom of the can and another one in the center of the top of the can.
Add beans
Tape over the original cans opening and tape around the dowel entrance and exit points.
Have students design the rattle cover with Native designs or pictures. It’s always easier if the paper is precut.
Glue designed paper to can and add decorative items to the top dowel, if desired.

Native American Design Reference Sites

Native Indian Gourd Rattles
Source: Kumeyaay Indians

Native American Designs
This site has a great collection of designs with very good background on each of the patterns.
Source: Buck-A-Gram

Native American Designs and Colors - Natural Dyes
Learn the sumbolism behind various colors in Native American art.
Source: Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs

What Does this Indian Symbol Mean?
"Over the years, both Native American designs (merely decorative forms) and symbols (a sign representing an idea, a quality or an association) have been subject to "interpretation" by non-Indian dealers and traders. Often, these interpretations are explained in terms of Anglo-European concepts that were nonexistent to the Native American. The result frequently bears little or no relationship to the true meaning of the symbols."
Source: Wingspread Guides of New Mexico

Rattles

Native American Design Reference Sites

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