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Beadwork / Quillwork

The document discusses materials traditionally used in Aboriginal beadwork and quillwork designs such as shells, stones, seeds, porcupine quills, teeth, and glass beads brought by traders. It notes that beadwork colors were chosen based on availability rather than symbolism. Beadwork designs can be unique identifiers of groups, and glass beads are more durable than natural materials. Headbands were used ceremonially and for practical purposes, while chokers and necklaces served ornamental, protective, and status purposes.

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Fabricia M. Almeida
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94 views2 pages

Beadwork / Quillwork

The document discusses materials traditionally used in Aboriginal beadwork and quillwork designs such as shells, stones, seeds, porcupine quills, teeth, and glass beads brought by traders. It notes that beadwork colors were chosen based on availability rather than symbolism. Beadwork designs can be unique identifiers of groups, and glass beads are more durable than natural materials. Headbands were used ceremonially and for practical purposes, while chokers and necklaces served ornamental, protective, and status purposes.

Uploaded by

Fabricia M. Almeida
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Beadwork / Quillwork

Every reasonable effort has been made to validate the material below. Please notify smunro@gov.mb.ca if you have
corrections or additional information.

The following materials are


examples of what have been
used in Aboriginal designs:
 shells
 stones or minerals
 seeds
 dyed porcupine quills
 teeth of bison or elk
 hooves, horns, claws, bones
 glass beads brought in by
traders (e.g. white and blue
pony beads, faceted cut
beads, then seed beads
which are not made of seeds)
 plastic beads also currently
used
Colours in beadwork
 Beadwork colours are decided by choice of favourite or by availability, rather
than for symbolism.
 Originally, there was a limited choice of colours.

General Information
 Beadwork designs are sometimes unique to groups and may be used as an
identifying feature.
 Glass beads are indestructible compared to quills, etc.
 On a heavily-beaded item of clothing, the weight is significant (used only on
special occasions).

Headbands
 Beaded headbands were ceremonial.
 Everyday plain ones were used to keep hair in place and out of eyes.
 Warriors used ceremonial headbands to hold feather ornaments in position.

Choker
 Chokers might have been used or are currently being used:
 as an attractive adornment and intricate part of dress for dancing and
other ceremonial events.
 to exhibit status or feats with incorporation of beads or claws.
 to protect vital neck and throat area from injury by knife, arrows, balls and
shells.

Beadwork Necklaces
 Necklaces are worn by both men and women.
 Some necklaces are purely ornamental; others have medicinal designs.
 Some necklaces carried special meaning (e.g. necklaces made from the
claws of wolves or bears showed that the wearer was a mighty hunter).

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