Overview
Imagine strangers forcing you and everyone you know to leave your homes and walk a very long distance to an unknown place. The Cherokee people were forced to do just that when U.S. soldiers made them move to the Oklahoma Territory in the late 1830s. The Cherokee brought only what few possessions they could carry, but they all brought along their old traditions. One Cherokee tradition they did not leave behind was basket weaving. As they had in the past, Cherokee weavers still gather honeysuckle vines and white oak to weave beautiful baskets.Discusses the Cherokee Indians, focusing on their tradition of weaving baskets. Includes a cookie recipe and instructions for playing a game and making a mat.
Synopsis
Imagine strangers forcing you and everyone you know to leave your homes and walk a very long distance to an unknown place. The Cherokee people were forced to do just that when U.S. soldiers made them move to the Oklahoma Territory in the late 1830s. The Cherokee brought only what few possessions they could carry, but they all brought along their old traditions. One Cherokee tradition they did not leave behind was basket weaving. As they had in the past, Cherokee weavers still gather honeysuckle vines and white oak to weave beautiful baskets.
Children's Literature
The Cherokee, who lived many years ago in what is now the southeastern United States, were excellent basket weavers, a skill that was passed on from mother to daughter. River cane was the material of choice. Stripped, dyed, and dried, the cane was woven into various shaped baskets. Flat-bottomed baskets held fruits and vegetables; tall baskets held grains. After the Cherokee were forced to relocate to what is now Oklahoma in 1838, they had to adapt their basket-making somewhat, as river cane was unavailable. Instead they relied more heavily on white oak, honeysuckle vines, and a plant new to them, the buck brush. Part of "America's First Peoples" series, this book includes enrichment activities to bring the Cherokee culture to life. Activities include how to weave a mat cushion, a recipe to bake Cherokee Cornmeal Cookies, and the game of Disk and Pole. The book also describes Cherokee houses, which looked like upside-down baskets, and discusses village life, including Cherokee weddings. Additional references, including places to write and visit both in person and on the Internet, are included. Through its emphasis on crafts and social life, this book will complement texts on Native American history. 2003, Blue Earth Books/Capstone Press, Patterson