One of seven descendant tribes from the greater Yuman language-speaking people who for centuries occupied the arid lands along the Colorado River, the Cocopah Indian tribe is widely known for traditional styles of beaded art, red willow bark shirts, bark skirts, arrow weed-woven baskets, pottery, musical instruments, ribbon dresses and leather craft. The rich history of the Cocopah tribe is taught to younger generations, as they learn to craft both traditional and contemporary works of wearable art.
Wearable Beaded Art
Elaborately woven beaded shoulder capes hold an honored place in ceremonial dress for members of the Cocopah tribe. The color of the beads and the design woven into the cape have great significance. Brilliantly colored beads are woven into complicated and intricate patterns to create one-of-a-kind pieces of beaded clothing. Shoulder capes were worn as ornamentation and continue to draw appreciation as an integral part of Cocopah artwork that represents the preservation of a culture and people that dates to antiquity.
Willow Bark Clothing
Willow trees grow in thick profusion along the Colorado River and its tributaries. Thin, pliable willow branches were woven into shelters and baskets, the frayed bark of the red willow tree was used to make breech clouts (long rectangular pieces of hide or other material tucked over a belt), shirts and skirts. Clothing made from the inner bark of the willow tree were the traditional garments worn by both men and women of the Cocopah tribe. Today these bark garments are reserved for spiritual ceremonies and celebrations.
Traditionally men gathered large armloads of willow branches, tied them together and weighted the bundle with rocks. The bundle of branches was submerged in water (stream or pond) and allowed to soak for 12 to 14 days. The women would peel off the outer bark from the branches, then strip the inner white bark and hang it on poles to dry. The women would tie long shanks of the bark, when semi-dry, to a cord woven from thin twigs of willow to craft garments of impressive beauty. The cord was tied about the waist.
Historically, the willow tree was a sustainable and renewable building and craft material, used for building homes, baskets, clothing and granaries. For most applications, the leaves were stripped off the the willow stems. Branches and stems used for building shelters and granaries were left on the branch and woven into the structure or food-storage containers. The leaves of the willow secrete a substance that repels flies and crawling insects.
Cocopah Ribbon Skirts
The Cocopah tribe is also noted for the creation of beautiful ribbon skirts. Ribbon skirts were crafted for ceremonial dress by many of the Native American tribes of the Southwest. Clay dolls, beautiful clay pottery and artisan quality leather work are also part of the Cocopah creative heritage. Examples of the tribes finely crafted artworks are displayed a the Cocopah Tribal Museum in Somerton, Arizona.
Rabbit Skin Blankets, Shawls & Clothing
Hunting for rabbits, with snares or hand-crafted bows and arrows, historically provided a large part of Cocopah tribe's food. Nothing was ever wasted. The rabbits were skinned, and the hides were dried and tanned to be crafted into warm vests, baby buntings and sleeping blankets. Many of these beautiful creations were adorned with intricate beadwork. Rabbits, squirrels, deer and other wildlife that provided materials for human use were treated with dignity and respect.
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