What do the Indigenous create

What do the indigenous create?

The indigenous people of Paraguay have a rich history of creating arts and crafts from various materials in their culture. The pre-Columbian tribes were semi-nomadic. This type of lifestyle deems that only necessary objects are usually created, or if there is time for art production, it is generally in the form of a craft and the item created is generally utilitarian. What has been found from this time are stone tools, mortars and pestles, funerary clay pots, cooking vessels and baskets.

Click here for a PowerPoint Presentation about Indigenous Crafts.
woven bags

The indigenous collected plants from the plains and forests and from the ‘green-hell’ Chaco region. Plants used for fiber were various palms, bromeliads, grasses and cacti. These fibers were dried and colored with dyes created from roots, berries and specific plant parts. These fibers were woven into gathering bags, clothing and shoes, as well as baskets and hats. Fans were woven from palm leaves.

Bamboo and various woods were collected and carved into musical instruments such as pipes and flutes. Wood was carved into animals that lived in the jungles and Chaco. Bird feathers were collected and made into headdresses and other ceremonial objects. Rattles were made from gourds. Drums were made from wood and stretch animal hides. Clay was dug and used to create holding vessels, cooking pots, tools, whistles, pipes and ocarinas.

Ornaments for the body, such as jewelry were created from seeds, shells, bones and wood.

As Hispanic customs were adopted by the indigenous and cross-culturalization took place, some of the artwork changed and adapted to the new technologies. The Indians began making fiber from cotton, weaving and tatting the fiber to make the distinct fabric that is now created in Paraguay. The Ñandutí lace or spider web weaving is a good example of the cross-culturalization.

Activities:

Create ocarinas from clay.

Carve native animals from clay or foam.

Dye wool yarn with natural plants from environment.

THE INDIGENOUS WITHIN

A Cross Curricular Study

What do the indigenous create?

Introduction

Objectives

Who are they?

History

Language

Arts and crafts

Endangered species

Future

Resources

Assessment

Jennifer Klimsza, Art Teacher, Joseph Middle/High School

Lori Kissinger, Elementary Teacher, Joseph Elementary School

Jennesta Nettles, University of Idaho