Encounter the People

Hualapai Arts & Crafts

Both men and women in early times dressed in full suits of deer-skin, elaborately fringed, and rabbit-skin robes. The men wore their hair long, often in two heavy braids, one for each side of the head, but generally loose, with a band of yucca leaves about the head to keep the hair from the eyes. Very few of them have long hair now. The women always wore their hair loosely over the shoulders.

The “Hualapai” women in ancient times had knowledge of the ceramic art, but none of the present generation attempt to work in clay. Then they make a few rather coarse baskets of varying shapes: conical burden baskets, gum-coated water bottles, flat trays for gathering and parching grass seeds, and straight sided storage baskets. War clubs, stone knives and axes, bows and arrows, and friction fire-sticks, besides neatly made moccasins and clothing, complete the handicraft of this people. (Curtis)

Basketry among “Hualapai” is exclusively the work of women. In modern times the industry has been somewhat modified by tourist demands both coiling, pu’vuga, and twining kwi’ga, are known. Today coiled baskets take the form of either trays or bowls with rather simple geometric or realistic designs. (Kroeber)

Additional Information

Readings:

• Curtis, Edward; "The North American Indian: The Indians of the United States and Alaska" Published by Edward S. Curtis (1907-1930), Northwestern University Digital Library Collections: http://curtis.library.northwestern.edu/
• Kroeber, Alfred L., ed. Walapai Ethnography, by Fred Kniffen, Gordon MacGregor, Robert McKennan, Scudder Mekeel, and Maurice Mook. Memoirs of the American Anthropological Association, 42 (Menasha, Wisconson, 1935). (NAU: GN2 .A22 no. 42)