Spirit Chasers
Spirit Chasers were used in Native American sacred ceremonies. They were
faced outward in front of the entrance of a Medicine Lodge to chase away any
evil spirit who would try to enter & make the medicine unpure.
War Clubs
War clubs were made by many tribes, & were made from a variety of
things. Including stone, wood, horn, metal or from bone. They were
decorated according to personal preference.
Pipes
Pipes & tobacco have been used for sacred purposes. Smoking took place on
special occasions to bring good & chase evil away. Like smoking the pipe to
prevent storms, or to protect them selves from enemies. Smoking of the pipe
was also to gain peace & friendship. It has been known through out history
for both war & peace.
Breastplates
Breastplates. They were worn in battle & ceremonies while dancing. Decorations
were placed on the front, such as sea shells, trade ribbons & other
ceremonial items. The long buffalo bones known as hairpipe were extremely
expensive & hard to come by the number of bones in a Breastplate would
usually tell the wealth of the person wearing it.
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Dreamcatcher
An Apache legend tells that bad dreams are caught in the web & destroyed by the morning sun.
Good dreams are spun in the web Until they find their way to the hoop then escape to bless the dreamer.
Medicine Wheel
Also known as the sacred hoop. It is a symbol of the the
cycle of life. The circular shape is to remind us that every thing is
connected. Giving us new understanding of our growth patterns. Teaching us that
every thing we do is important, no matter how small is on going & will touch
others. White represents purification of thoughts & emotions. Starting the
healing process.
Dance Sticks
Dances were held for many reasons. To insure a hunt going well, or to
celebrate the hunt they have had. They would hold victory dances to mourn
the those who were lost, & to celebrate honor brought to the tribe by
achievements made in battle. Some warriors would carry dance sticks that had
certain "medicine or power". Depending on what was attached to the dance stick
it would bring that power to the dancer who carried it. For instance if it
had a bobcat skull it was believed to bring the carrier swiftness, & cunning
in his hunt. Perhaps it would have the colors in the beadwork to represent his
tribe to honor them. Each warrior represented his style differently.
Chokers
The bones in the chokers also called hairpipe were expensive and difficult to
come by, because of their great value they were often used in trade and a
popular piece of jewely to be worn.
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