GSM : Creative Handiwork

[Guest guest]

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi expresses the wisdom of creating and using handmade

articles, rather than indulging in useless consumerism, which is detrimental to

society. An intrinsic understanding of these concepts was expressed in the

combined functionality and artistry of Native handiwork, for, beginning even at

birth, a young infant was exposed to the beautiful artistry and workmanship that

produced his cradleboard.

 

" From birth until the time a child learned to walk, he or she spent

most of the time in a cradleboard. The cradleboard was made by

attaching a footrest to the bottom of a wooden plank and a strip of

bent wood to the top (to protect the baby's head should the

cradleboard fall). The cradleboard was cushioned with moss or

feathers, and then the baby was strapped on with leather strips or

laced into a bed of soft animal skin attached to the cradleboard.

 

Parents often spent a great deal of time and care in making and

decorating cradleboards, which were often beautifully carved and

adorned with shells, porcupine quill embroidery, and charms to

protect the baby from sickness and evil. Safe in the cradleboard,

the baby could sleep, watch what was going on (if the cradleboard

was leaned upright or hung from a tree branch), or ride on the

mother's back as she walked, the cradleboard hanging behind her from

a band attached to her forehead. " [1]

 

The wisdom of using natural materials is also expressed by Shri Mataji:

 

" Now, I have found out a solution for Sahaja Yogis, what they should

do. They should try to encourage handicrafts. Every country I went to, I bought

handicrafts, whether it was Czechoslovakia or England or anywhere. I cannot

understand - how can you go and buy this rubbish of plastic, of this useless

things? So for Sahaja Yogis, they must take a vow that we will only take things

which are handmade. You need not have many things, you can have few, but

something handmade. "

 

" ...I must tell you one thing, I can't wear nylon, I can't wear

anything artificial, really, I can't. For a while, if I even wear socks also, My

whole body starts paining. So, it is against (you)..

In America also I was surprised that beautiful things are selling in

shops which they call as outlets, very good, mostly of silk or of

cotton and leather - pure leather. But people will go to big, big

markets and buy all nonsense at a very high price and not from

there - means they have no wisdom. And this is what happens, that the wisdom, if

it is lacking in your sense, then this wisdom corrodes the society. Because

wisdom itself shows how dangerous it is to go on buying all these nonsensical

things. " (Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi,Evening before Navaratri, Cabella,

1997-10-04)

 

Whether displayed in toys, clothing, practical carrying utensils, hunting or in

ceremonies, Native handicrafts were made from things found within nature.

Cornhusks were used to make simple dolls, or more ornate ones that were dressed

up in traditional clothes and feathers. Mohawk girls learned the handicraft

traditions by helping their mothers sew clothing and make moccasins and jewelry.

 

Traditional Mohawk artwork was both decorative and useful. Handmade rattles

made from horn, elm, bark, turtle shells, and dried-out gourds filled with

pebbles, kernels of corn, or other small objects were used for both hunting and

in ceremonies. Used musically, rattles were effective items for keeping time

with ceremonial chants and songs. Decorated belts even had a distinct

communicative function.

 

" Originally, the Mohawks did not have a written language. Instead, they recorded

information using wampum, strings of polished and colored beads made from

shells. By arranging the beads into different designs, the Mohawks created

pictographs, or picture

symbols. To record lots of information, they sewed many strands of beads onto

fabric or skin belts, called wampum belts. " [2]

 

" The Mohawks made decorative objects from beads, feathers, and quills. They made

beaded shoes, clothing, and other items, with intricate designs that told

stories from the past. They sewed long rows of white-and-black porcupine quills

onto clothing and headdresses, called kastoweh. They often used [antlers],large

eagle, turkey, and pheasant feathers to make colorful headdresses for

sachems.[chiefs] " [3]

 

Craftsmen also made the practical items needed for their daily existence:

shelters, weapons, bows, arrows, wooden traps and nets required for hunting and

fishing. Often animal symbols representing specific clans - turtle, bear, and

wolf - were used to decorate clothing as well as homes.

 

Native Spiritual tradition was also represented in art form.

 

" Mohawk carvings made on moose antlers are rare and special. Moose lose antlers

each year. Mohawk artists traditionally collected and carved them into animals

and figures. The carvings were long and thin, like the antlers themselves, and

often represented the spirits of the woodlands where the moose lived. When

polished, the antlers were glossy white and looked like ivory. " [4]

 

 

 

Reference:

[1]Sita, Lisa. Indians of the Northeast: Traditions, History, Legends, and Life.

Milwaukee, WI 53212 USA. Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2000. p.41, ISBN:

0-8368-2646-9 (lib.bdg)

 

[2-4] Kirk, Connie Ann. The Mohawks of North America/by Connie Ann Kirk.

Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA. Lerner Publications Company, 2002. ISBN:

0-8225-4853-4 pp. 27,29,31,32,34,35,36,37

[Guest guest]

Dear Gerlinde (and Violet)

 

i have already uploaded this post. In future just mark it GSM or HSS

and i will automatically upload them i.e. there is no need to ask me.

 

However, i will still prefer that you doublecheck and let me know if

there are any corrections or revisions to be made.

 

Please note that work in progress will require constant updating. i

will be happy to help in any way possible. Thanks.

 

regards,

 

jagbir

 

, " magdca "

<gerlindesattler wrote:

>

> Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi expresses the wisdom of creating and using

handmade articles, rather than indulging in useless consumerism,

which is detrimental to society. An intrinsic understanding of these

concepts was expressed in the combined functionality and artistry of

Native handiwork, for, beginning even at birth, a young infant was

exposed to the beautiful artistry and workmanship that produced his

cradleboard.

>

> " From birth until the time a child learned to walk, he or she spent

> most of the time in a cradleboard. The cradleboard was made by

> attaching a footrest to the bottom of a wooden plank and a strip of

> bent wood to the top (to protect the baby's head should the

> cradleboard fall). The cradleboard was cushioned with moss or

> feathers, and then the baby was strapped on with leather strips or

> laced into a bed of soft animal skin attached to the cradleboard.

>

> Parents often spent a great deal of time and care in making and

> decorating cradleboards, which were often beautifully carved and

> adorned with shells, porcupine quill embroidery, and charms to

> protect the baby from sickness and evil. Safe in the cradleboard,

> the baby could sleep, watch what was going on (if the cradleboard

> was leaned upright or hung from a tree branch), or ride on the

> mother's back as she walked, the cradleboard hanging behind her from

> a band attached to her forehead. " [1]

>

> The wisdom of using natural materials is also expressed by Shri

Mataji:

>

> " Now, I have found out a solution for Sahaja Yogis, what they should

> do. They should try to encourage handicrafts. Every country I went

to, I bought handicrafts, whether it was Czechoslovakia or England or

anywhere. I cannot understand - how can you go and buy this rubbish

of plastic, of this useless things? So for Sahaja Yogis, they must

take a vow that we will only take things which are handmade. You need

not have many things, you can have few, but something handmade. "

>

> " ...I must tell you one thing, I can't wear nylon, I can't wear

> anything artificial, really, I can't. For a while, if I even wear

socks also, My whole body starts paining. So, it is against (you)..

> In America also I was surprised that beautiful things are selling in

> shops which they call as outlets, very good, mostly of silk or of

> cotton and leather - pure leather. But people will go to big, big

> markets and buy all nonsense at a very high price and not from

> there - means they have no wisdom. And this is what happens, that

the wisdom, if it is lacking in your sense, then this wisdom corrodes

the society. Because wisdom itself shows how dangerous it is to go on

buying all these nonsensical things. " (Shri Mataji Nirmala

Devi,Evening before Navaratri, Cabella, 1997-10-04)

>

> Whether displayed in toys, clothing, practical carrying utensils,

hunting or in ceremonies, Native handicrafts were made from things

found within nature. Cornhusks were used to make simple dolls, or

more ornate ones that were dressed up in traditional clothes and

feathers. Mohawk girls learned the handicraft traditions by helping

their mothers sew clothing and make moccasins and jewelry.

>

> Traditional Mohawk artwork was both decorative and useful.

Handmade rattles made from horn, elm, bark, turtle shells, and dried-

out gourds filled with pebbles, kernels of corn, or other small

objects were used for both hunting and in ceremonies. Used

musically, rattles were effective items for keeping time with

ceremonial chants and songs. Decorated belts even had a distinct

communicative function.

>

> " Originally, the Mohawks did not have a written language. Instead,

they recorded information using wampum, strings of polished and

colored beads made from shells. By arranging the beads into different

designs, the Mohawks created pictographs, or picture

> symbols. To record lots of information, they sewed many strands of

beads onto fabric or skin belts, called wampum belts. " [2]

>

> " The Mohawks made decorative objects from beads, feathers, and

quills. They made beaded shoes, clothing, and other items, with

intricate designs that told stories from the past. They sewed long

rows of white-and-black porcupine quills onto clothing and

headdresses, called kastoweh. They often used [antlers],large eagle,

turkey, and pheasant feathers to make colorful headdresses for

sachems.[chiefs] " [3]

>

> Craftsmen also made the practical items needed for their daily

existence: shelters, weapons, bows, arrows, wooden traps and nets

required for hunting and fishing. Often animal symbols representing

specific clans - turtle, bear, and wolf - were used to decorate

clothing as well as homes.

>

> Native Spiritual tradition was also represented in art form.

>

> " Mohawk carvings made on moose antlers are rare and special. Moose

lose antlers each year. Mohawk artists traditionally collected and

carved them into animals and figures. The carvings were long and

thin, like the antlers themselves, and often represented the spirits

of the woodlands where the moose lived. When polished, the antlers

were glossy white and looked like ivory. " [4]

>

>

>

> Reference:

> [1]Sita, Lisa. Indians of the Northeast: Traditions, History,

Legends, and Life. Milwaukee, WI 53212 USA. Gareth Stevens

Publishing, 2000. p.41, ISBN: 0-8368-2646-9 (lib.bdg)

>

> [2-4] Kirk, Connie Ann. The Mohawks of North America/by Connie Ann

Kirk. Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA. Lerner Publications Company, 2002.

ISBN: 0-8225-4853-4 pp. 27,29,31,32,34,35,36,37

>