The Springfield herald., 1912-04-19

nomadic habits OF the people. Tnet
the cradles of the tribes of Russia and
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 certain similar
ity of design In the cradles used by
the trlbespeople 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 a trough, adorning 1t with porcu-
pine quills, 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 trough much
as the tribes farther north do with
birch bark. The Kiowas. Comanches
and other tribes of the southern plains
h. hot t. H,,F
falo hides lowing. perhaps, to the
warmer climate) and lashed the
dressed skins to a lattice of fiat
sticks. The Iroquois, Mohegans. Della
wares and most of the other tribes
of the eastern and northern states
made board cradles. about two and
| a 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 basket-work 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 mudness of the climate.
Hurdle cradles consisting of num-
ber of canes or sticks arranged in an
oblong hoop frame, are used by the
Mojaves, Yumas and Wichitas. The
Apaches. Navajos and Pueblos COM
bine the basket board and hurdle
types, protecting the child's face and
head with hood or awning. The
Navajos make the bed out of skins.
heavily laced with leather thongs. but
the Pueblos usually make use of cloth.
! purchased from the trading stores,
for the bed.
Burden Well Distributed.
Most of the tribes place bands or
straps upon the rigid frame of the
cradle, SO arranged that they can be
placed around the mothers forehead.
permitting the cradle to rest upon
her back. The burden is thus well
distributed, placing no unequal strain
upon one side of the body, as Is the
case with the method of carrying the
body common to the mothers of civil
lized communities. frequently an
other strap is placed at the top Of
the rigid frame, by which the cradle
may be swung from the pommel of a
saddle, suspended from the limb of a
tree, or hung upon a nail driven in
the wall of the Indians cabin.
Strangely enough. the Indian mother
never places the cradle, with the
baby in it, fat upon the ground. 1t
is always hung up by the strap pro-
vided for that purpose, or leaned in
a nearly upright position against the
wall or some other convenient sup
port. Pillows or pads of fur, hair.
shredded bark or feathers are al
ways used, often in a way intended
to produce a flattening or other dis.
tortion of the skull. Trinkets are
sometimes fastened to the awning or
rattles and playthings for the papoose.
Often charms and amulets are pro-
vided, in the belief that they will
keep away evil spirits from the small
tenant.
| Number1ess superstitions survive
among the various tribes relating to
the cradles. Among some of the
tribes of the far north 1t Is custom.
ary for the mother to take the crar
die as soon as the child has out.
grown its use and secrete 1t In a hol-
low tree or other secure place in the
woods. 1t is their belief that any
injury to the cradle will unfavorably
affect the health, life or fortune Of
its former occupant. Among some Of
the tribes squaw could not be
tempted to sell the cradle in which
one Of her children had spent the
first months of its life for all the
silver dollars 1t would hold. Among
other tribes to use the same cradle
for more than one baby would be
considered an unspeakable impiety.