Traditionally, Native American tribes of the southwestern United States made baskets from horse hair. These baskets have symbolic and spiritual significance for their makers. Often, a theme will be woven into the basket through a design made by weaving or with small objects attached to the basket.
Tohono O'odham
The Tohono O'odham tribe is located in southern Arizona. These Native Americans weave horse hair baskets as well as yucca and willow baskets. Traditionally, men gather the materials and women weave the baskets. Common patterns include coyote tracks, stars, squash blossoms, dust devils and human figures. One Tohono O'odham artist, Louann Shannon, has been weaving baskets since age 14. She makes small horsehair baskets, plates with intricate designs, even horsehair earrings. Ruby Thomas, another tribal artist, weaves miniature baskets with designs depicting scenes of tribal life.
Chumash
The Chumash tribe, from the area of California where Los Angeles stands today, has a long history of basket weaving. Linda Aguilar, a famous Chumash artist, has baskets displayed in many galleries and museums, including the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Her baskets have been presented as gifts to such personages as Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. Some of her horse hair baskets have such a tight weave that they can hold water. Among her people, Linda Aguilar has the reputation of being "contrary," and many claim she was "spirit taught" to weave. Aguilar is inspired by dreams and weaves only when she is happy so that negative emotions do not get woven into the basket.
Paiute
The Paiute tribe, from the Yosemite Park region in California, also has a history of horse hair basket weaving. Among their most famous artists are Betty Rogers and her daughter Rosemary Rogers.
