Hopi Basket Dark

For over 2,000 years, the Hopi tribe of the Southwest has utilized natural plant materials to carefully craft baskets and other items. As an integral part of everyday and ceremonial life, basket weaving holds great significance among the Hopi people. Baskets play essential roles in various religious and social ceremonies, such as the sacred corn harvest, rainmaking rituals, and rites of passage. They are also used in the preparation and serving of traditional foods. Hopi basket makers use materials like rabbit brush, sumac, dune brush, and yucca to create their masterpieces. In addition, animals are often featured in woven designs. While synthetic dyes were once used to add color, there has been a recent return to using natural dyes. Only three basic weaving techniques are utilized by Hopi basket makers: plating, wicker, and coiling. Each Hopi mesa has a unique specialization, with coil weaving on Second Mesa, wicker weaving on Third Mesa, and plaiting used by women on all three mesas.