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Show AN INTRODUCTION TO UTAH'S INDIAN HISTORY at a glance: utah indians' art and culture When the Spanish entered what is now the American Southwest in 1540, they introduced domesticated animals to the region. This addition affected each of Utah's tribal communities differently. Though many tribes adopted the horse-either as transportation or as food-the sheep took on a greater importance for the Navajos than any of the other Utah tribes. The Navajos took the sacred colors and skills they had long used in basketmaking and adapted them to weaving with sheep's wool. Navajo weavers incorpo-rated the complex geometry and symbols relating to the Navajo creation story and other traditions into the patterns of their rugs. Weaving represented a way for Navajos to adapt old art forms and transmit cultural symbols, but by the end of nineteenth century it took on economic signif-icance as well. An economy based on money emerged in the area between 1870 and 1900, and Navajo blan-kets became highly prized items by white traders. As large trading posts were established in Navajo terri-tory, rugs woven by the women of the family became a family's main source of income. The arrival of the railroad to Navajo territory in 1881 increased trade possibilities. It also introduced dyes and yarns from the eastern United States, allowing Navajo weavers to add new colors and patterns to their traditional repertoire. Paiute Basketry The Paiutes moved frequently according to the seasons, plant availability, and animal migration patterns, and baskets served as vital tools in this highly mobile lifestyle. The Paiutes used baskets to process, store, and carry their staple foods, and bas-ketry was highly specialized depending on the use. Twined baskets were most typical, but some bands made coiled baskets. (Twining is a process involv-ing twisting fine fibers together; coiling is a process where thick coils are wrapped together with finer fibers.) Coiled jugs sealed with pinyon pitch carried water. Seeds, particularly pinyon nuts, formed an important part of the Paiute diet because they could be stored for the winter months, and the Paiutes made specific baskets for collecting, beating, win-nowing, parching, sifting, and storing them. They also made special wickerwork basket for berries. The larger holes and strong shapes protected deli-cate berries without allowing them to become moldy. The size of the holes, the shape, even the size of the opening were all designed for the different functions a basket served. Paiute baskets were the tools that made the work of Paiute women incredibly productive. Each Paiute woman had a set of harvesting and cooking baskets, food bowls, water jars, and a basketry hat to protect her from the sun. They used basketry cradles to car-ry their children. Treasure baskets, which were hung inside the house, held personal items. Although made for utility, Paiute basketry could also be highly decorative. Basketmakers wove the fibers of a dark grey plant, called "devil's horn" or "claws," into intricate patterns that stood out against the light-er willow. Color was also added by rubbing crushed berries on the basket. Today basket weaving is still taught to young members of the tribe to instill the importance of tradition. W E S H A L L R E M A I N : U TA H I N D I A N C U R R I C U L U M G U I D E 33 Utah's Indian peoples share many of the same artistic traditions and technical skills. The use of an example for one tribe does not imply that they are the only tribe that developed this skill. Navajo Weaving |