Language of the Robe: American Indian Trade Blankets - Softcover

Kapoun, Robert W.; Lohrmann, Charles J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0879058110 ISBN 13: 9780879058111

Publisher: Gibbs Smith, 1997

Synopsis

8 1/2 X 11 In, 192 Pp, 250 Full-Color Photographs, 65 Duotones. For All American Indian Cultures, From The Plains and Southwest People To The Tribes of The Norhtwest Coast, The Blanket Makes A Visual Statement of "Indianness. " Language of The Robe Explains A Living Tradition Among The Indian People. As A Gift, The Blanket Is An Important Acknowledgement of Friendship, Gratitude and Respect. Bright Colors and Intricately Woven Patterns Are The Hallmark of The American Indian Trade Blankets. Even Though The Blankets Were Commercially Produced By Companies Such As Pendleton Woolen Mills, They Were Embraced By Native American Peoples Across The Country and Became An Integral Part of Their Culture and Ceremonies. Today, Trade Blankets Are Collectibles, Especailly Those Made Before Ww2

About this title

About the Authors

Robert W Kapoun of Santa Fe has lectured extensively on this subject and has curated a traveling exhibition of trade blankets.

Charles J Lohrmann was the founding editor of Four Winds magazine, a journal of Native American Art, culture and history.

From the Back Cover

For all Native American cultures, from the Plains and Southwest people to the tribes of the Northwest Coast, the blanket makes a visual statement of "Indianness." Language of the Robe explains a living tradition among the Native American people. Today, trade blankets are collectibles, especially those that were made prior to World War II. Language of the Robe identifies, classifies, and presents the history of the trade blanket.Within the tribe or pueblo, the blanket is a statement of an individual's bond to the older, traditional ways, to roots that run deep. As a gift, the blanket is an important acknowledgement of friendship, gratitude and respect.Bright colors and intricately woven patterns are the hallmarks of the American Indian trade blankets. Even though the blankets were commercially produced by companies such as the famous Pendleton Woolen Mills, they were embraced by Native American peoples across the country and became an integral part of their culture and ceremonies.Robert W. Kapoun and his wife, Marianne, collect and document trade blankets. Bob has lectured extensively on the subject and has curated a traveling exhibition. He and his family live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and are owner of The Rainbow Man.Charles J. Lohrmann was founding editor of Four Winds magazine, a journal of Native American art, culture and history. He is a freelance writer who lives in Austin, Texas.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

When I was a child, my family attended sacred Navajo ceremonies and dances. I remember starry nights after the first frost, when the season of storytelling began and the Yei-Bei-Chais were to arrive. We loaded my father's truck with food, Pendleton blankets, and quilts, as we prepared to spend the nights at the site of the upcoming ceremony. My mother dressed us in beautiful clothes she had made herself--velvet blouses with silver buttons and long skirts. The people traveled by horse-drawn covered wagons or in trucks. When we arrived at the ceremonial site, there was always the smell of pinon and cedar smoke in the air. This scent, mixed with the aroma of roasting lamb, let me know this was a special occasion.

Edition details

• Publisher: Gibbs Smith
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0879058110
• ISBN 13: 9780879058111
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 179