Friday, September 21, 2012

Alaskan Beadwork

The Athabascan people are one of two groups of Indians in Alaska.  It is believed that the Athabascans migrated across the Bering Land Bridge about 12,000 years ago.  They settled in interior Alaska.  The other group lives in southeast Alaska and includes the Tlingits and Haidas.

The early Athabascans were hunters and gatherers who relied mainly on berries, moose, caribou, and fish.  They were nomads who moved from place to place depending on food supplies and the weather.  The temperature in the interior can range from 100 degrees F to -60 degrees F!

The Athabascans’ clothing was often made from tanned moose or caribou hide, which they decorated with quills, fur, or trade beads, often creating beautiful works of art.  Here are several photos we took at the Morris Thompson Visitor and Cultural Center in Fairbanks.

















I hope you've enjoyed seeing these incredible works of art as much as I did!


5 comments:

Margaret said...

Such beautiful work! I''ve always been fascinated by such work for sure!

Barb said...

Hi Ellen, Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos. We have been to Alaska twice. When we visited the places that you shared, we didn't have a digital camera. Last year we just visited the Kenei Peninsula. It is such an amazing land! We did not get to see Denali because of clouds! Lucky you!

Mouse said...

gosh its amazing how they managed to produce such beautiful works with not many tools or the stash we have today ... the colours are fantastic :) love mouse xxxx

woolwoman said...

Glad that you and Tom had a wonderful trip to Alaska - my folks have been twice and they say it is their most awesome destination yet. Hope you are feeling much better now. Thanks for sharing the photos - they were inspiring and interesting. Hugs Mel

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Oh Ellen, you see the most interesting things on your trips. I love the pink and purple flowers. Swoon! I could have used a pair of those slippers this morning too!