Encounter the People

Havasupai Basketry

Tray-Grace Hannah
Photo by Ophelia
Watahomigie-Corliss

Havasupai basketry has a reputation for being some of the best Native work within North America.  Because basketry performs a wide array of utilitarian functions, Havasupai women mastered its production out of necessity. Baskets were used to winnow seeds and served as water containers, boiling jars, drying trays, and cooking jars (Smithson). Designs developed and craftsmanship was perfected largely independent of non-indigenous influence since the outside world did not reach the Havasupai until 1880 (Herold). A reservation was established in Havasupai, and thereafter the life of the people of the village changed drastically. Visitors to the canyon became more frequent, and their basketry was soon in demand, affording basket makers widened artistic creativity.

Havasupai basketry is characterized by simple white and black geometric patterns utilizing positive and negative space as active design elements (Dalrymple). Historically, coiled and twined baskets featured finished rims bearing a herringbone pattern, which visually resembles braided hair (Herold/McKee's). This distinctive element sets Havasupai work apart from other basketry. After adopting manufactured containers and largely abandoning utilitarian basketry Havasupai basket makers have experimented, altering their designs yet retaining production of primarily black and white pieces. The beautiful canyon and surrounding landscape have served as persistent sources of inspiration for Havasupai artists.

Baskets by Minnie Marshall, Cora Rogers
Photo by Ophelia Watahomigie-Corliss

The main materials used in basketry are Cottonwood, Willow, and Arizona Cat Claw.  Other materials used are Squaw Berry, Apache Plume, Service Berry, and Cliff Rose (Herold/McKee's).  The intricacy and the dedication that go into the production of every basket have allowed the Havasupai to build a worldwide reputation for their superior work.  This tradition is continued today by basket makers within the village who display and sell their finished baskets at the tourist office or lodge in Supai Village.

Please visit the Havasupai Tribe Web site for contact information,   the tourist office at 928-448-2121 or email at or the Lodge at 928-448-2111 or email at . 

Additional Information

Websites:

Havasupai Tribe Web site ( http://www.havasupai-nsn.gov )

Readings:

• Dalrymple, Larry. Indian Basket Makers of the Southwest: The Living Art of Fine Tradition. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press, 2000.
• Herold, Joyce, "One Hundred Years of Havasupai Basketry," Plateau vol. 53, no. 4 (1982): 14-21.
• Harold, Joyce and Barbara and Edwin McKee. Havasupai Baskets and their Makers: 1930-40. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Press, 1975.
• Smithson, Carma Lee and Robert Anderson, eds. The Havasupai Woman. Salt Lake City, UT: University of Utah Anthropological Papers, 1959.