Festivals and Gatherings

"Carriers of Culture: Living Native Basket Traditions" Program at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival

In the summer of 2006, approximately 80 Native American basketmakers were featured at the 40th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Festival visitors saw master Native artists demonstrate the outstanding weaving traditions of their respective communities. They learned about the inter-relationship of basketry to other tribal cultural knowledge associated with ceremonies, language, stories, dance, song, and foodways. Through live demonstrations, dance performances, discussion sessions, and hands-on activities, Carriers of Culture explored how Native basketmakers have acquired and sustained their extraordinary skills and knowledge. For more information, go to http://www.folklife.si.edu/festival/2006/Basketry/index.html.