The Pueblo are Native American tribal nations who live in Pueblos and are descended from the Anasazi. With a long tradition of farming and craftsmanship including Native American jewelry, they have traditionally lived in adobe villages in the southwest for more than one thousand years.
What is a Pueblo? Continue reading
One iconic symbol featured heavily in our stunning Native American jewelry at Indian Traders is the Thunderbird.
The symbolism of the Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is a mythical creature of huge importance to the Native Americans of both the United States and Canada. An enormous bird, he symbolized great power, strength, and protection for humans against evil spirits. Able to transform into human form by removing his head like a mask and his feathers like a cape, he was considered the most powerful of all Spirits in Native American culture. Beneath his wings were lightning snakes, and these he wielded as weapons or tools as required.
Lightning shot from Thunderbird’s eyes and the flapping of his wings sounded like thunder. The Thunderbirds brought storms and rain – these could be good when the rain was needed or bad when floods, fires, and destructive winds were the result.
Said to reside in the clouds above the highest mountains, the Thunderbirds had sharp claws and teeth and vibrant, colorful feathers. His wingspan was enormous.
Tribal Legends
Legends of the Thunderbird have been passed through the generations via stories, songs, and dance. Many legends depict the anger of the Thunderbirds; they are fearsome and frightening. Some tribes perceived them as sacred natural forces, while others saw them as normal parts of the animal kingdom.
Only the strongest, most successful and powerful Chiefs and their families were permitted to use Thunderbird in their crests.
Thunderbird symbolism has for many thousands of years been applied to pottery, masks, carvings, totem poles, and jewelry.
The Thunderbird at Indian Traders
We offer some beautiful pieces featuring the Thunderbird in Native American jewelry, from a Zuni Thunderbird keyring to Zuni Moneyclips and even a Native American blanket for your baby’s crib. Visit our store today to explore our vast range of stunning, authentic southwest American Indian merchandise.
Native American turquoise jewelry is a stunning aesthetic choice as well as an investment when you purchase authentic pieces. But do you know how to choose your turquoise stone?
Turquoise is formed over millions of years when water bubbles through rocks which contain deposits of minerals including copper and aluminum. Continue reading
The Native American bracelets and necklaces of the Southwest are renowned the world over, particularly for the use of turquoise and silver overlay designs. Native American jewely of the Eastern US differs significantly from these designs. Each of these eastern tribes has its own styles and designs which are influenced by the materials available locally and the culture of each American Indian nation. Continue reading
There is an enormous focus on the Native American jewelry of the southwest, and this is what we sell here at Indian Traders. While incredibly distinctive, this Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry is not the only form of Native American jewelry that is made, and other tribes from other US regions have their own distinct designs and jewelry styles, very much influenced by materials available locally. Continue reading
Native American jewelry is renowned worldwide for its beauty and symbolism, and each Native American nation has its own unique design, meaning and style. Today we focus on the authentic traditional designs of the Hopi and the Zuni…
Hopi Jewelry – The Hopi have long been known for their distinctive silver overlay style of jewelry, alongside crafting such as Katsina carvings, weaving, and coiled basket making. Continue reading
Native American jewelry, including Native American necklaces, is very popular among both American Indians and non-natives alike. Generally featuring silver or copper, and often with turquoise, coral, shell, bone, or beading, traditional pieces are not only fashionable but also very meaningful. Traditional designs reflect the important symbols, motifs, and beliefs of the tribe by which they are crafted. Continue reading
Navajo Clothing
The Navajo are the best known of the Native Americans when it comes to weaving. For hundreds of years, the Navajo have used a simple two-bar vertical loom for weaving, and it is with this that they have long created their unique Native American blankets. These blankets were referred to as “Chief’s blankets” due to their value. Continue reading
Native American jewelry is renowned worldwide for its unique style and distinctive designs. Crafted by indigenous artisans for many thousands of years, the jewelry of the Native Americans is influenced by the land, the spiritual beliefs, the legends, and the cultures of each unique nation, from the American Indians of the Southwest to those in the Northeast. These jewelry pieces have been crafted since the earliest times of the Inca, Aztecs, Maya, and Anasazi. Continue reading
For many westerners, when we think of Native Americans and their culture, from Native American jewelry to the Hollywood-driven stereotypes of peace pipes and teepees, we may think of them as American Indians. This term is considered to be politically-incorrect by some, while others readily accept the term “American Indian”. It’s important to understand the correct terms for these unique diverse, and beautiful peoples. It is an issue not only for how non-Native-Americans refer to First Nations peoples but also how they describe themselves. Continue reading
