Basketmaking Among the Karuk. INSTITUTION California State Univ.-Humboldt, Arcata

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 282 706 RC 016 278 AUTHOR Bennett, Ruth, Ed.; Shaw, Carolyn Risling TITLE Basketmaking among the Karuk. INSTITUTION California State Univ.-Humboldt, Arcata. Center for Community Development. SPONS AGENCY Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs (ED), Washin, )n, DC. PUB DATE 84 NOTE 52p.; For related documents, see RC 016 276-282. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use - Materials (For Learner) (051)

EMS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adult Education; *American Indian Culture; American Indian Education; *American Indian Languages; American Indians; American Indian Studies; Cultural Awareness; *Cultural Background; *Design Crafts; Elementary Secondary Education; Handicrafts; *Native Language Instruction; Plant Identification IDENTIFIERS *Basketweaving; California; Cultural Literacy; *Karuk; Karuk (Tribe); UNIFON Alphabet ABSTRACT A description of basket weaving techniques and materials used by the Karuk Indians of northwestern California includes illustrations and Karuk language terms so that the booklet may be used to enrich Karuk bilingual classes as well as to interest knowledgeable basketweavers. A section on materials discusses identifying, gathering, and preparing willow and hazel sticks; sugar pine, pine, and willow roots; bear grass; woodwardia and maidenhair ferns; porcupine quills; and alder hark and moss for dyes. Illustrations of and Karuk words for materials and preparation processes supplement the text. A section on basket types describes baby baskets, burden baskets, sifting baskets, eel basket traps, acorn pounding baskets, storage baskets, acorn sifting baskets, cooking baskets, acorn soup bowls, decorated baskets, tobacco pouches, and basket hats. Illustrations of each basket type, Karuk terms, particular characteristics of each basket, and its use in Karuk society accompany each description. A final section provides step-by-step instructions for starting a basket including soaking, body positioning, frame of mind, start a basket with open and closed weave twining, adding sticks, and color overlay designs. Each step is clearly illustrated. A Karuk Unifon alphabet and an Indian Unifon alphabet are provided. (LEL)

*********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Basketrnaking 1819.?0 JUN 1987 Among the Karuk RECLIVE -RIC/CRESS

I NI [(161\1

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Reserch and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION Bilingual Emphasis Program CENTER (ERICA This document has been reproduced as Iteceived from the Person or organization Center for Community Development riginating viinor changes have been made to improve Humboldt State University reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in thisdocu- ment do riot necessarily represent official Arcata, CA 95521 OERI position or policy Acknowledgements

Text and Illustrations Carolyn Risling Shaw, Karuk

Resource People Shan Davis, Jr., Karuk Gladys Guy, Karuk Leaf Hillman, Karuk Grace Davis, Karuk Frank Cook, Karuk General Editor Dr. Ruth Bennett, Shawnee Lettering, Layout, and Typing Patricia Grantham The Bilingual Emphasis Program, Humboldt State University, is an OBEMLA Title VII Program.

1984 NATIVE LANGUAGE GOALS

COMMUNICATION Communicate in a second language: -Comprehend the spoken language -Speak the language comprehensibly - Comprehend the written language - Write the language comprehensibly

CULTURAL FUNCTIONING Function in the culture in which the language is used: -Be aware of the attitudes, values, customs, traditions, and taboos of the culture - Interpret.: and use body language and other types of nonverbal communication - Use language signals appropriately in a variety of social contexts

APPRECIATION OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND VALUES Appreciate the similarities and diversities among languages, cultures, and value systems within the United States and throughout the world: -Compare cultural patterns from native and foreign cultures - Become familiar with the environments in which cultural groups have developed

This Basket Book can be used by the teacher to meet the above goals through class discussion. Table of Contents

I. Introduction 1 II. Karuk Alphabet 4 Basket Materials 7 IV.Basket Types 24 V. Starting a Basket 37 VI.Bibliography 45 tin

Introduction Basket weaving techniques and mRterials are discussed in this volume, which is intended to 1,0erest knowledgeable basketweavers and Karuk teachers and students, as well as to acquaint other students within the Karuk community with one of the finest arts of the Northwest California American Indian. Karuk language terms are included so that the book may be used to enrich Karuk bilingual classes.

What are Karuk bilingual classes? The Bilingual Education Program of the Center for Community

Development at Humboldt State University, through Title VII of the ESEA Act (administered by the U. S. Office of Bilingual Education), is the only university program in the state of

California which offers an elementary teaching credential with an emphasis on Hupa, Yurok, Karuk, or Tolowa language and culture. The project carries on several coordinated activities, including teacher training, curriculum development, continuing education in Indian communities, and innovation in higher educat-on. The project is now in its sixth year of funding as a bilingual teacher training program. Twelve university students are currently training to receive teaching credentials, and there are eight fluent bilingual teachers offering classes ranging from first grade through university levels.

-.2- 7 The primary objective of the Bilingual Education Program is to promote bilingual/bicultural literacy among Northern

California native peoples. The bilingual community teachers work with university staff in analyzing key concepts in their languages; the Program staff then prepares instructional materials that develop bilingual literacy in a way compatible wita ideas of tribal elders from the four tribes.

This book is authentic information gathered from and compiled by Karuk people, and represents the high quality of production that can be accomplished by cooperation between the Indian community and the University. Karuk Alphabet NOTE: The Karuk "R" is pronounced by tapping the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth,

The "0" may be nasalized:

SINGLE SOUND ALPHABET The sound "A" (as in apple) occurs rarely in Karui.

YL-RI-PUX-W0 MOC-MOC D+-511 KUC-DIIP F+B-OI XOC-KOM-HUR ,Ff-ROP N,-COR-ROK

(girl) (cow) (dog) (porcupine) (foot) (bow) (five) (otter)

g-RO UP-MON )+N-WIM COP VI-RO-COR POF-F+) OR-RI-PI +5-K6S

(eel) (mouth) (skunk) (steelhead) (bear) (deer) (dip net) (river)

T-IIV Pile YIO-U +P-FO-NI TUC.VON UX-WO YOP U-XUK

1.0 (earl (four) (one) (hair) (cooking paddle) (head) (eye) (two)

OBE FCCA SINGLE-SOUNDALPHABET

T 1. 5 6 10

ate all bow lielqay chair dip hen 14 he her 16 ir Ia 19 lo zr tz

fast pat hat bit so bite slaw ki$5 low music no a 4 23 24 Z6 27 2/1 Z9 30 32.

lot old look out ba tyl sure labli 3r 31. 36 37 38 3 9 it2

thirst there due vest you, tig azure les zebri 12 13 I lit ettA THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

WHO. IN %LEA14.° Hurn:::It StateUrtiversitY 111 A SW, 1.1041455P 1111. SI ill II III. Ith P Basket Materials III. Materials

When gathering materials, the gatherer should always give thanks for these materials and not take more

than is needed.

A. Sticks(u-HOP)

The sticks are the foundation or warp of the basket.

Willow

PCSR-RUK

(fig. 1) 15 -8-- 1. Willow (P6R.-RuK)

Willow shoots are gathered in April or August.

New shoots of the grey willow are cut before the buds

are open. They grow along the rivers and streams.

The bark is stripped off before it dries out. Sticks are then sorted according to width and length, and

stored in bundles.

Willow shoots

(fig. 2) 1 6

-9- 2. Hazel

Hazel sticks are cut in April or May. The patch is burned after it is cut so the next year's growth will be strong, uniform, and straight. The sticks are peeled after they are cut, then sorted and stored.

,g. 3) B. Roots

Roots are used for the weft of the weaving.

1, Sugar Pine (6C-C+P)

The root may be dug up any time of the year,

in a moist soft area, where there are no rocks. Care should be taken to not overdig an area and to not take more than can be used in a year. Sugar pine roots are first soaked or boiled

to soften the bark for scraping, They are then

split into smaller sections for storage. Later roots are soaked again and then scraped, with a mussel shell or knife (fig. 5), to break them down for splitting.

1 9

-12- They are split evenly to the desired width,

then coiled, sorted, and tied for storage.

The roots are very durable and expand when wet, and are therefore good for baskets used for holding water.

(fig. 6)

-13.- 2, River roots (Willow roots, +S-30-D+P )

Willow roots are pulled up in the spring, when the river has risen and then receded rapidly

so that the banks are cut away to expose the roots. While still damp, the roots are easily stripped of

bark and can be used as is, or split atonce. The roots are sorted and coiled according to width, and used once they are dry.

(fig. 7)

River roots 1.,:11,-...... ,..,-4-... C. Bear Grass (PUN-Y6.-ROR)

Bear grass is used for the white color overlay in

the weft. Bear grass is picked in the spring and summer in high meadows, in areas that have been burnt off the

previous year. The burning causes the new shoots in the center of the clump of grass to stick together at the

tips. This makes gathering easy. The grass must be laid out in the sun for several

days and turned often to bleach the grass to a white color.

The grass is then sorted into bundles and tied (fig. 10). Bear grass D. Ferns

1. Woodwardia(TI1P-TIP)

Woodwardia fern is used for red overlay designs.

This large fern is found in moist, shady, wooded

areas. The best time to pick the fern is in the fall

or winter. The fern is picked at the base and

stripped of leaves. The stem is pounded flat with a

rock (fig. 12), then twisted in order to take out the two inner strands (fig. 13). These strands are then dyed with alder bark to give them a reddish

color. The strands are then dried and coiled for

storage.

Woodwardia fern

(fig. 11) 23 TIiP-T1P ss. -16- -17 - 24 2. Maidenhair(q1C-RitiT-T6P-KIR)

Maidenhair fern is used for the black overlay

designs. This fern grows in areas near water or in foggy, damp areas under conifer trees.

Maidenhair

(fig. 14) All the leaves are stripped from the dark stem of the fern. The stems may be stored in this manner or split when fresh. The stems are very brittle and should be well soaked before preparation. A split stick is used to draw the stem through to flatten and split it. When splitting, the dark and lighter side of the stem are separated. Your fingernail is used to finish splitting the two sides and to scrape out the inside. Only the dark side of the stem is saved for use, and only the main stem.

2 6 -19- E. Porcupine Quills

Porcupine quills are dyed yellow with moss (tree

lichen) and used for overlay design. Because they are hard to work with, they are used less often than the other design materi. The entire, whole quills are woven with the weft into the basket design.

Moss (tree lichen) Porcupine quills

2 7

-20- F. ayt.s_

1. Alder Bark (A-PDX)

Alder bark is used to dye the Woodwardia fern

a reddish brown color. Some of the bark is cut and peeled off the tree, but never enough to harm the

tree. The outer bark is discarded, and the inner

bark is smashed and put in warm or cool water. The Woodwardia fern is soaked in the bark-water mixture and let cool, or soaked for a day until the right

color is reached. The fern is removed from the dye

and let dry (fig. 17),

28 -21- Alder

29 -22- 2. Tree lichen(0-00X-x64)

The lichen (moss) is used to dye porcupine quills. It is added to water which is then heated to boiling. The quills are then put in and left in the dye until a nice bright yellow color is reached.

Moss (tree lichen)

o-cox-x6-1

(fig. 19)

3 0

-23- Basket Types

6. 1-- IV. Basket Types

A. Baby Basket (OLIX-TUY)

This type of basket is still used today by many

Karuk mothers. Its shape and comfort make the baby feel

secure, as in the cradle of its mother's arms. The girls' basket has a wider bottom, while the boys' has a narrower

one. A new and larger basket is made as the child outgrows

the old one.

The baby basket is usually made with strong, thick hazel sticks for the warp, and smaller or split hazel

sticks for the weft. Roots are not strong enough for use

in this type of basket. B. Burden Basket (LIT-T+m-Nuv)

This is an open-weaved, conical shaped basket about three feet high. It is carried on the back, with a leather strap around the forehead.

This open twined burden basket was used for carrying acorns or seeds.

Burden basket

(flg.21)

33 -26- C. Sifting/Serving Basket (OR-ROR-RA-IM-V6R-RUM)

This type of flat, open-weave basket (1 to 2 feet

in diameter) is used for sifting and sorting berries.

A flat, open twined basket tray is also used for serving

fish or other food.

Sifting basket

If '*4411iIlitotrit,\\t loot .14.4444\;oliply -\\,\ 0,\\,\Iiiik,,/,,A #.7

OR- ROR- R I 11- VCFR:- RU (fig.22)

3 4 -27-- D. Eel Basket Trap

This type of basket is used for a trap in the river

to catch eels. It was made by men from unpeeled sticks.

Once the eel gets in through the small, conical opening, it can't escape until the lid is undone.

Eel basket trap

(fig. 23) E. Acorn Pounding Basket (+K-ROM-NUV)

This closed weave basket is made of closely twined

roots on e sturdy stick base. The bottom is cut out to fit over a grinding rock. It keeps the meal from scattering

when pounding the acorns with a pestle, Bear grass is used for simple designs around the outside.

Acorn pounding basket F. Storage gasket (C4-N0K-MUIYON-NUR)

These large baskets with small openings are decorated

withh, simple bear grass designs. The designs are created by leaving the weft, or root, exposed.

Storage basket

(fig. 25)

C4-4P-NOK-M6-YON-NUR

3 7 -30- G. Acorn Sifting Basket (eUN-16P-RUV)

A large tray is often used for sifting acorns. It is faced with grass and exposed roots to create the designs.

A smaller, more closely woven tray was used to catch the fine acorn meal.

A finely woven, more elaborate tray was used for

gambling.

Acorn sifting basket

Vii) IIW,.111hvitx_ a aNfaViiipillgii%;''

\\ - 4 -1r. WI '.. ,Z.-/--"St Zli

(fig. 26) H. Cooking Basket (00R-R6M-POK-ROV)

This type of basket is shaped likea large bowl with

fairly straight sides. Simple designs in grasswere used on the upper portion. The basket is water tight.

Cooking basket

(1.7).27) eoK-RUri-PoRoy 1. Acou -) Bowl (PuT-TU-Rov)

This basket is made like a cocl-,ing basket but much

smaller in size.

Soup bowl

lUll

4# 4'4' e ,e1/ .41 41t1,111 // /147 1/11

1 CI11119111.1:111::11

(fig. 28) P6T-TU-KCN

4 0 -33- J. Decorated Basket

This basket can be any size. It is entirely decorated with red, white, black, or yellow designs. It is bowl- shaped with the rim turning slightly in. This basket can be used around the house or given as a gift.

Decorated basket

r( r)'',1.,;', I .e....t4e/r/f.,,rifi( r ifec.,..),",));,..,_;.;;).111. 1 `, c( em7301:( ,,,e o'er /_( e fe 1.".1 ):....)) 411} illf%"N1 0.A (((r( n( "ifa:ge'srocog's,priedocor ,1 , 1 ,)", , ) ' )1,11)11%Ni) ,)j) (C((tO (itl(ltiV r(«c(cci,01-0,,,',IN V 1)1I1 )1.1' ., c(((cc( ,,,,I.1)),,i,", , 0 il, ...._ c cc, , :i.1, 0 kt klkt i: a a I V J i ,..:, . '1.;(,(ry ; _,), .r,,,rtc,(cycc;* ., r c ,,, ,..4.::::::;.(;:, ;,:,:(,(,`(:;,::::::::::111fi"' ....,,_..:.,, ,,,,,,c(e 1( /1,,),);;;: 1 i J1/,'.,..)1 er(fir ce( ( ( l(./ dro,1 i , r ) ,'); I -- r ,,e, retic(ft,. )1) 4((ckt iiii)).)).7j)i)))'''')))));) ,i)i)1,))))))J) ,_...... ,.. )71,.)) ,)))),)') ...... , -',, ) '' ')))),.. ''' '1) )1J1) » ) )))11 ) ' ." )) '1)I ') ) J) 1 » ) )1 ))1

-34- K. Tobacco Pouch (I-HAR-U-Hu-c4P-NOK)

This is a mmall basket with a lid that is attached to

a small opening. The designs are simple and often created with grass and exposed root,

'Tobacco basket

I-H6Fk-U-HU-C+P-NO

-35- Oa aello 09 9

I I - e - e . 1

- - - . -

e - e

- e-- - . e e - e II

II . 0 - : e - o

e -e - - e -

9 . ; I I I P - 0

. . I e I

Alb

:10V119.1.1%!"::: ...":?Asirleilk VI 4'1 ...... ;-.2:."-:::-1:-....11:110iarla.&,. .:'.fAIIMILIELIO11; I..ire-...... ---=1 -7 -- -.ft...N..14 -1. ff:--a,Ineasotr---, ..ots,)11%. ' /...' i- F4.74::: a. 8140.--,..1. =....,. -1- Sir'.4,. ..AIM39.111114P.. ---....Ateek,...e.e.7....r...c..16t -I.'-..-- -_.'- . 11,7 04, 00., 4,,Np, .....r JO% .. ,.r,VAS ...no, ..t. ...7 1 ox,,,, ;, :,,,,- . ,r,.... 1:-..- 7-f,;42.1.-Ammigs.A...... ,... mos,.....-0 ..:: ir,.,.;- s. e - 0,- , . .-s,.V4el ." 43; st.,/, ,,.. ,*(41411.1.,414, zff/./.7',461,51 HI I 1; Ir!WI _1!IIII,t,s,..:,,,,,:itsIt.t41!: :4;i4W,44 fe5t;;,#/47:;f141,f,..1:4;ti.::Tf0:71 VII 4 .1, gre 9 ,*:44,44, 9/4 4P/* 4;* 4piA , :. -- ?*, ,, 4,4 :-., ; M 11' atin. It.'1,f4...111 I; o i t'!";'. ... el.' 0%91 --,1.1,04,- ..., el.,0*it * % . v ,,....4 4... "0 p. lo , .;;;'' ,,,, : .4.4 : *WIZ it .G. I,:j. I.!:,,, $.!I :I I, '.. ::100-4ttlr..?ev; V. .*. :-.- -410;'1,,. pt-.4 s,4,21. by,. c.o.. ,.,., ....4. -.gi .: W60 ,e 1.q 1,0 0 ;aii. ,,...4 4:45:%. 4,- 4,...,z, I1, ..., oliss*4;6 . w I 1 A ..1!..ft.lt ..w., ). '111111111.;., V.4. vit,..D 4. -",`, 11.,.ffik WI l'. ',",;:o 0 . V. 'A ( VV4,listii 4:I .44...1.1 : .4.4F: p*:,',t 41 .1'. . 111111,. ..1. IIllri :1..1.4 . . .i ,' r7 '1:1.....,. ,'-'. ... is,."` Iv& 00° \ 0S 9,11100%,Se 0.4 ',s\M*Wffil.#%:..4.444",..,,N44\ 0 4.p.4,::;:*;,,,:,,,,,,:;440:i.,;,, ..*,,d1H111I.-1,1:i.5.:13.. ... ,;''. *0,'," was iiiiir=.1' imxtiVait - -AVO 0%\*% VV.'. ,,,,_ 4,,,,,.,,..t....4,;;;7....,,,,:,..,1,14tungio.,,, .[,..11 t v,. .0,10 0% vItsv-lo. ..:ggis$vgilteLp_wIpoi;4.,;;;.e :48,,,,,,r, t..., a ... ii\\00,,ev..?- vet, .. 1 NI 1 I.:: II : 4 rt 19;. I PAI 1 :ilk Ili...... rall. iiitteAl ..' ...4.4 qSP9/19:99/7111.444"'41::,,,,,,,,,,, :.91 7: V.911.,1::. ..%Vali I 0 / e/ 44 .",. ..,IVNN,10,-.4..:4110,11,9,Fcf.r.,i.::.:.:w..... I ,' : 1: 1 1 . = $,t ll 1 '$V.' -%,,4,13b 94,Wffpo 49/fik ..44 x , . . !.. e :. i a N, tr. 1 ?...1:!.. ., . af . 7, .0..,sw- rfo , laroMtse',07g 0.& , .,,,,,d''' ...... ,;,' s';'''''IlAili -..f, eitZ:Iii/s4-17411111iIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVISIIgain .. a . ma ginning so ms911999%.ifor...0., 0 0.044.... , sp,a w ,:8.41 iiinilmil-1atssalsoussollii11; lea ,i;;;,4!1;t4iii...'''.-fortf.t101101,- IIIIIIIRNIsirms/P7P,7701tt" 'ti,Z2 C.': '.7,7'.:, :Mt: le - .. '4 a a ,o0,0,'110%.50r,OW.%1/40,0 .0 i .0d " ..° anstettl'O''...VO,r,:**tit'''. '"*" :.: ,::: :-*; 4408.,4,2411Partinif -,..14' -!._ _.---....wwwoijillissr."" ,o4',....:.-,, .- - -ie..fi::....,j13p,-,,,::,;..1::....i.:atz.21,!!!!. i,, ...!_sy : illa...... frallIvramilmir-aiirogia I--tiisaISS sessis aosiss ilsons+7 ac :,...... 1.110.10/1111941 - ''....,..L.'''; ?fqpiniallIMINII199999U9ESiriglillityt,,,V;e "Win "919.99111111111111 , ..,,,....,a,,,,..1.41...... sulas..,...r...5,,,...---.-..rvpi."...... %I.L.A.,..,...-----. --, StartingaBasket V. Starting a Basket

A, Soaking (P0-e0R)

All materials must be soaked in water before weaving.

This makes them flexible for weaving. The maidenhair

should be soaked at least a day ahead of use. Most other materials should be soaked for an hour or so before they

are used; if soaked too long, their colors change. The Woodwardia fern should be dampened and kept damp, not

soaked.

B. Getting Started

Most weaving is done while sitting on a low stool or on the knees, with materials and water nearby for soaking.

C. Frame of Mind

Frame of mind is important to the work of the weaver. Good feelings and thoughts help create good baskets.

Creating a basket takes patience, knowledge, and skill.

4 5

-38- D. Open Weave Twining: Basket Start

Select sticks according to desired width. Start around the outside with two-strand weaving to make the "button." Continue around in two-strand weaving, adding sticks as you go, into the warp and the weft, as needed.

Keep adding sticks until you have almost reached the desi:-TI diameter. Keep weaving and thd edges will turn up autzmatically.

4 6

-39- E. Closed Weave Twining

1. Basket start

Sort sticks and roots according to desiredsize. Start basket as shown in figure 33. Make the button as shown in figure 34. Then add third root (fig. 35). Go around entire buttononce with the three weave to set the sticks.

(fig.33)

4 7

-:40-

2. Adding sticks

Add a stick in each open corner of your basket

on the next time around (fig. 36). Lock in place

with the three weave around again. Chew the end of

the stick where it will be inserted. Now add a stick

every other one. Then lock them into place with the

three weave again (fig. 37).

(fig. 36)

-42- 3. Color overlay

The overlay materials are added so that the designs

and color show only on the outside of the basket (fig. 38).

F. Designs

The overlay materials are used to create the designs of the baskets. These include the beige of the root, white of the bear grass, black of the maidenhair fern, red of the alder-dyed Woodwardia, and yellow of the moss-dyed porcupine quills, so

-43- The designs are geometric patterns. There are usually an odd number (3, 5,7) of designs on the basket. A beginning weaver must count the sticks to make the design come out right. A skilled and experienced weaver can do it by sight. Different arrangements and variations of the basic designs are used to create the individual basket. Each one has a uniqueness of its own.

-44- BIBLIOGRAPHY

Newman, Sandra Corrie. Indian Basket Weaving. Flagstaff, Arizona: Northland Press, 1974.

Wallace, Kathy. We Still Make Baskets: Basket Making, A Continuing TradItIO7.--JUne, 1980.

-45-