Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Spring 2008 - (Page 31) design and execution. Constructed of river cane (arundinaria tectca) native to the southeastern United States, the baskets are beautiful and durable reflections of the Chitimacha’s natural environment. With the exception of the use of artificial dyes, contemporary Chitimacha basketmakers construct their baskets with the same materials their ancestors used centuries ago. The river cane is chosen by length — the longest stalks with the fewest joints are reserved to make larger baskets. After the cane is chosen and cut, the stalks are twisted by hand and split lengthwise by striking the stalk, usually against the knee or thigh. The bark-like outer surface is then separated from the core, a process that is initiated using the teeth. These splints are then kept moist and some are dyed red, yellow, dark brown or black. The colors used in Chitimacha basketry reflect the Chitimacha’s natural surroundings: brown and black dyes were obtained from the black walnut tree, red and yellow from lowly dock root. Today, artificial dyes have replaced natural ones because of the scarcity of materials, yet there is little to no deviation from the traditional colors. Similarly, contemporary Chitimacha basketmakers employ the same shapes and patterns as their ancestors. Historical patterns such as alligator entrails, mouse tracks, and blackbird’s eyes are derived from the Chitimacha’s environment and are as bound to the landscape as the cane from which they are made. continued on page 37 CHITIMACHA PEOPLES, Louisiana Lidded Basket Trunk, circa 1900 Split river cane natural dye; height 5 inches, width 4-3/4 inches, depth 7-3/4 inches CLARA DARDEN (CHITIMACHA, 1800-1910) Louisiana Lidded Double Weave Basket, circa 1902 Split river cane natural dye; height 4-7/8 inches, width 4-3/4 inches, depth 4-7/8 inches The Chitimacha are renowned for their exquisite singleand double-weave baskets. The double-weave technique is most often used to create trunk or square-shaped lidded baskets. Exactly how long the Chitimacha have been making double-weave baskets cannot be determined because the climate of the region has destroyed the earliest examples. Undoubtedly, the tradition is centuries years old, and it continues today. The two baskets illustrated above exhibit the graceful contours and clever design overlays that are the hallmark of Chitimacha basketiy. Only the top and bottom corners are on fixed points, and the sides gently curve around and upwards, while the firm-fitting lids taper inward. The design is executed using three colors: black, red, and the natural color of the cane. Red and black diagonal bands wrap around the baskets to form the background field. To create the geometric motifs the weaver wove natural splints over the background, giving the illusion that they are floating on the surface. Spring 2008/LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES 31
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