Tom
11-22-2006, 02:20 PM
In tradional societies often designs and elelments get reformed and translated into either other patterns or/and evolve into something much more elaborate or they become atrophied before they dissappear.
In several cases the elements of traditional culture and the messages that they illustrate becomes hidden or transformed, tribal tattos are a great example of this transition, many of the early tattoos have counterparts in the decortive arts, clothing, painting, beadwork embroidery etc.
Many times this has been refered to as "playing the booger" esssentially putting on a mask.
Several years ago there was a book called "Hidden in plane view" it was a detailed study of the meanings of southern quilt patterns used by southern people in the Carolinas.
The same is seen on modern day "star blankets" the original in my view is the painted robes of the northern Plains peoples. Chiefs robes etc.
Aswell with the decorative arts tattoo patterns can become patterns on traditional clothing.
Keeping "tattoo" patterns current may mean that you may want to just use an eye liner pencil to draw the tatto on your skin.
For the eastern Siouan people all we really have is the knowledge of the 3 arrow patterns worn by men, and on a new Monacan web site one of thier women also had a tattoo.
By combining traditonal elements and transposing them onto and into other mediums you will preserve and pass on traditions.
In several cases the elements of traditional culture and the messages that they illustrate becomes hidden or transformed, tribal tattos are a great example of this transition, many of the early tattoos have counterparts in the decortive arts, clothing, painting, beadwork embroidery etc.
Many times this has been refered to as "playing the booger" esssentially putting on a mask.
Several years ago there was a book called "Hidden in plane view" it was a detailed study of the meanings of southern quilt patterns used by southern people in the Carolinas.
The same is seen on modern day "star blankets" the original in my view is the painted robes of the northern Plains peoples. Chiefs robes etc.
Aswell with the decorative arts tattoo patterns can become patterns on traditional clothing.
Keeping "tattoo" patterns current may mean that you may want to just use an eye liner pencil to draw the tatto on your skin.
For the eastern Siouan people all we really have is the knowledge of the 3 arrow patterns worn by men, and on a new Monacan web site one of thier women also had a tattoo.
By combining traditonal elements and transposing them onto and into other mediums you will preserve and pass on traditions.