Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-06-14


Siberia resemble those OF the tribes
of North America Is doubtless due to
the fact that all lived largely by hunt
ing. They, therefore, devised beds for
their little ones that were easily trans
ported, and in which the babies were
reasonably safe from accidental in
jury or long journeys. and well pro-
tected from the cold.
Although there is q certain similar
fly Of design in the cradles used by
the tribespeople Of North America,
the whole way from Alaska to Mex
leo, there are great differences In the
materials used, IN the methods en-
ployed for fastening the babies In the
receptacles, in the child's wrappings
and in ornamention. Many Of these
divergences may be traced to climatic
influences. and the natural resources
of the regions In which the tribes
live.
Among the Northern Tribes.
Many of the tribes Of Alaska and
northwestern Canada make cradles OF
birch bark, bending 1t into the form
Of q trough. adjoining 1t with porcu-
pine quilts. and lining 1t with soft
fur. The Sioux and other tribes OF
the northern plains region formerly
made their cradles Of buffalo hide,
with the hair left on, bending the
hide into the shape OF a trough, much
as the. tribes farther north do with
birch bark. The Kiowas, Comanches
and other tribes of the southern plains
region removed the hair from the buff
falo hides towing. perhaps. to the
warmer climate) and dashed the
dressed skins to q lattice of nat
sticks. The Iroquois. Mohegans. Della
wares and most of the other tribes
of the eastern and northern states
made board cradles. about two and
half feet long and ten inches
wide at the foot. becoming wider
at the head. To this, the conven-
tional bed, made Of skins. was
fastened. The Utes and Nez Perces
similarly form their cradles OF kite.
shaped boards, often beautifully orna'
mented, to which the bed is attached
with protective hood to shield the In
fant's face and head from the
sun and elements. Dugout cradles are
made by the Indians of the North
Pacific coast, and basketwork era
dies by many tribes of California
Oregon, Washington and Nevada
Often the basket cradles are made
. like little chairs, in which the BABY
sits, with its feet free. No doubt
, this departure from the usual custom
/ Is due to the mildness of the climate
, Hurdle cradles consisting OF mum
, Der Of canes or sticks arranged In Al
? oblong hoop frame. are used by tn
; Mojaves, Yumas and Wichitas. Th'
} Apaches, Navajos and Pueblos com
bine the basket board and hurdl
: types, protecting the child's face ant
4 head with a hood or awning. Tn
r Navsjos make the bed out Of skins
heavily laced with leather thongs. bu
the Pueblos usually make use of cloti
9 purchased from the trading stores
q for the bed.
3 Burden Well Distributed.
ell Most of the tribes place bands {
o straps upon the rigid frame of II
cradle, so arranged that they can I
), placed around the mothers forehea
n permitting the cradle to rest upc
70 her back. The burden is thus we
g distributed, placing no unequal stra
g upon one side Of the body, as is Il
C. case with the method of carrying Il
Is body common to the mothers Of civ
n lized communities. Frequently a
1t other strap is placed at the top
at the rigid frame. by which the Grad
rs may be swung from the pommel Of
ir saddle, suspended from the limb Of
Is tree, or hung upon q nail driven
30 the wall Of the Indians cab
le Strangely enough. the Indian moth
NJ never places the cradle, with {
70 baby in it, fiat upon the ground.
is always hung up by the strap p
vided for that purpose. or leaned
GU nearly upright position against I
20 wall or some other convenient 81
ne port. Pillows or pads of fur. hs
60 shredded bark or feathers are
~ ways used. often in a way intend
=, to produce fiattening or other
- - tortion Of the skull. Trinkets
- sometimes fastened to the awning
n elsewhere on the cradle, to serve
- rattles and playthings for the papoo
Often charms and amulets are =
~. - vided, In the belief that they
an keep away evil spirits from the sn
t,h tenant.
Of NumDeriess superstitions sur
among the various tribes relating
the cradles. Among some Of
,de tribes of the far north 1t IL Gust
at airy for the mother to take the
to die as soon as the child has I
of grown its use and secrete 1t in q
In low tree or other secure place IN
No woods. It Is their belief that
Os- injury to the cradle win unfavori
,en- affect the health. life or fortune
to its former occupant Among som'
In the tribes q squaw could not
an tempted to sell the cradle in WI
hat one Of her children had spent
attic first months of It's life for all
silver dollars it would hold Am
by other tribes to use the same CT
hit for more than one baby would
de- considered an unspeakable impief
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