Arrows revisited

[Tom]

Hello something very interesting, when we had discussed the arrows pattern , Tech had posted a link to animage of "one of the Chief MEn of Virginia" or something like that; any way the coloured image has several things we need to look at, they are,
#1 the colour of the man's beach cloth see the red and the white side!
#2 look at the feathers that he is wearing, are those North Carolina Parakeet feathers? or something that was from S America, where I think the artist spent some time.
We should try and look for material on this bird and what is it's closest living cousin!
#3 last look at the tatoo's these can be redone in cane baskets!
Thanks Tech!

[Linda]

Is this the one you're talking about? If not, maybe you can find it on this site.

http://www.virtualjamestown.org/images/white_debry_html/white47.html

The only problem is, I think these are all Algonquin coastal tribes. Hope I'm wrong.

[Tom]

Hey Linda sorry I missed this, yes these images probably are all Coastal Algonquin people., however it's the use of the coloured feathers that has me interested, the use of the red and white hide is really unique.
I guess that so much can be learned from these old images that they do need to be evaluated by some one with an eye for detail.
Do you know if there are simular images for the Yesah people?

[Linda]

No, I don't believe there are any images of Yesah people. Byrd's description of women's dress (in the summer) sounded like the apron-like garb on the White paintings. He described them as being woven from something likely to be dogbane.

[Tom]

Hello Linda, well it could be dog bane, milk weed or something else with long fibres, also there inner tree bark etc that have all been used, but in short womens aprons have been developed into traditional clothing by several southern tribes.
Also shawls are so related to the apron and the match coat an apron or shawl that can be worn as a blanket or robe.
In the future I'll post more on this.
Something for all to think about and research on is the hand / finger weaving twinning methods used to make these items, rather than crotchet or knitting long ago women wove with out tools!

[lynellarainhawk]

Tom & Linda,

I'm going to check with a group of ladies here in the mountains and see if they no much about the finger weaving. I would love to do that. Also fiberous, what about good ol' hemp? Personally I think like the hemp jewelry the kids are doing these days and such is just down right itchy, but maybe I have any allergy to it or something. Dogbane would make sense.....I'll look into that too. I'm kind of worn out on the family tree for right now and have been putting a lot of time in on my dreamcatchers, mandellas, Rabbit skin bags, and stuff and I need to do some plant research anyway, so I'll do that. Which reminds me, my youngest son got my last smudge stick. I've got all the dried Frilly Sage and Cedar to make more. I guess I better get on it. I want to know everything there is to know about these arrow patterns and such.
LINDA, are we finding geometric designs anywhere from the old days? Geometric symbols keep popping into my head, but I haven't used them yet, cause I'm not sure. And what kind of shells were they using? I know you had said something about it a while back, but ditz that I am, I didn't print it off for future reference. Well, Love & Light, And hey we been gettin' snowed on here. I love it! Lynella.

[Linda]

Yes, we used geometric patterns, not unlike those used by the Sioux. The colors seem similar too. If you use the feature at the first page of this topic (material culture) that lets you set how far back in time you want to see, you can set it to take you back to the beginning. Some of those threads have pictures of the patterns we've found. The whirlwind is very important, and there are lots of triangle shapes used as borders. The Sauratown woman had white, royal blue and red beads on her dress.

[lynellarainhawk]

Linda,

Way awsome, Thank you so much. I will check that out. I so want to make sure of everything so I have it right. Bless you, Lynella.:)

[lynellarainhawk]

Hey,

I came across those painted images in a few of these old books I have. Let me see what they say about the people and such and I'll get back to ya'. Lynella.:)

[lynellarainhawk]

Linda,

Isn't the whirlwind pattern a symbol for "The Continuation of Life"? I was just curious. I've got an idea in my head for some beaded earings. like a sheild with the whirlwind pattern, with some more beads dangling down like fringe from it. I'm thinking all total 2 and 1/2 inches long, maybe three. But What colors would you suggest. And I try to stay away from plastic beads. Only Glass or natural materials. That's all I use. Unless, like the dream catchers, I do use the synthetic sinew. Well, gotta go before this thing boots me off again. Lynella.:D

[Joyce McPherson]

In my limited research, many tribes use the spiral, or, circle, to show that life continues, somes back around. What about a round flat concentric circle for the earrings or pendant?

Joyce:)

[lynellarainhawk]

Tom, Linda, All,

Howdy! I've been toying with this earing idea. I've been sketching them out on paper and have in my mind how they should be, but feed me something.....Like color schemes, suggestions-suggestions please! You know, sky blue with white spirals just seems too simple, too now and I want them to be really special, so what about using beads the colors of the wampum? What do you think, really. I can take it! If so, what shells were used for wampum so I can find glass beads that would match. Let me know what you think. Lynella.;)

[lynellarainhawk]

P.S. I guess I'm wanting them to be representative of us as a People, still here and continuing onward. Does that make sense? Even goofy sense?:D

[Linda]

I like the idea of coming up with an earring pattern, since that could be duplicated by anyone who wants to give it a try. We don't have to come up with a sum of money to invest in having something made.

The only record we have of any Piedmont Siouan colors were those on the Saratown Woman's dress. They were white, royal blue and red. They were glass trade beads. If you go to Crazy Crow's site, there's a table showing the colors used by various tribes. Interestingly, Sara's colors were among those used by the Western Sioux, so it may be appropriate to borrow from that influence. It may also be possible to find some record of what color beads traders brought into this area. That was important information for them, since packing in the wrong colors could mean no profit for the trip.

Have you seen the pictures of the whirlwind gorgets found at Lake Gaston attributed to Occoneechee? To be honest, it looks like a six sided swastika, a bit too much for me, so I smoothed out the edges. I assume our Ancestors will understand the context and why it's helpful to modify. If you haven't seen that photo, let me know and I'll dig it up to put here.

[lynellarainhawk]

Linda,

No, I haven't seen that photo and I would very much love to. Thank you so much for your input on this it really means a lot to me. Love & Light, lynella.:)

[lynellarainhawk]

Linda,

:cool: Got it, Crazy Crows. Yeah, I was thinking I'd make a pair and send them on to you with the directions and then if you wanted to modify or what ever, that would be great. If someone wants to do a necklace to match, that too would be awsome. Some sort of Hair ornamentation. Thank you bunches, Lynella.:)