Indians 101: Native Baskets from the Olympic Peninsula (Photo Diary)

The Museum and Art Center in Sequim, Washington has on display a number of Native American baskets from the Olympic Peninsula. According to the museum display:

“Northwest Coastal Native Americans typically weave with cedar bark, bear grass, sweet grass, and raffia. Baskets were used for only one task. For example, a clam basket would only be used for clams, not fish.”

The different tribes were not isolated from one another: they traded and they intermarried. While different tribes used different materials, weaving techniques, design patterns, and basket shapes, there was some sharing of these basketry techniques between tribes.

With tourism—including the eighteenth century and nineteenth century explorers, fur traders, and Euroamerican settlers—the Indian basketweavers began making baskets for these people.  

Shown above is a Makah basket made by A. Markeshum. With regard to language, Makah belongs to the Nootkan Branch of the Wakashan family. Makah is most closely related to Nootka and Nitinaht which are spoken farther north.

Cross Posted from