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Aleut Baskets
Aleut Baskets - The Aleuts, a major native group of Alaskans, have long been considered among the finest basket makers in the world. The Aleutian Islands are located 1,000 miles south of the Arctic Circle and stretch 1,000 miles of Alaska’s southwest coast toward Russia. The Aleuts had a far more stable life style than the nomadic Eskimos. They lived year-round in coastal villages governed by wealthy and powerful chiefs in a highly structured and class-conscious society. The harsher the environment, the more essential the goods…like everything else made by the natives of this harsh land, baskets were essential to their survival. Aleut baskets were used to collect seabird eggs and to store dried meats and berries, all of which sustained life through the long dark winter months of greatest scarcity. Hats and capes were also woven from grass, as were bag-like wallets made to carry personal accessories, and mats used for a variety of household applications. The traditional material for these baskets was a type of ryegrass that grew wild throughout the islands and was carefully gathered and prepared over the course of several months. In early summer, women traveled inland to find the longest and toughest grass available. The grass was cut and stored indoors away from sunlight that could bleach it and subsequently weaken the fibers. After it dried, it was sorted and split into thin strands. The prepared strands were bundled together and hung outside on cloudy days to again avoid the bleaching effect of sunlight until they were completely dry and ready for use. Aleut baskets are constructed by twining thin, flexible horizontal strands together between vertical elements. In twining, two or more strands of horizontal pieces are twisted around each other in half turns as they pass over and under the vertical pieces. Theses threadlike strands of grass were so tightly woven that the texture of the finished baskets has often been compared to linen. Aleut baskets are decorated with "false embroidery", created by wrapping stems around the horizontal strands while weaving so the decorative pattern shows only on the outside of the basket.
World War II effectively put an end to the basket making tradition. Attu Island, the center for the craft, was invaded by the Japanese, all men were taken prisoner and forced to work in coal mines. The remainder of the population was evacuated and the island was never resettled. Their basket making tradition did not survive the disruption. These links will give further information about these wonderful, talented artisans and tradition: Native American Art and Alaskan Native Art Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture, Native American Basketry Exhibit Alaskool.org, online materials about Alaska Native history, education, languages and cultures Return to Native American Indian Baskets from Aleut Baskets
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