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Wampum Design Elements
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Previous Page in Article Series | How We Weave Wampum |
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On This Page: |
You Cain't Squeeze 'em |
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You Cain't Squeeze 'em
As a hard, inflexible medium wampum beads cannot be squeezed, bent, stretched or
twisted to make different shapes. Wampum beads are much more elongated
compared to seed beads, so the wampum weaver is much more limited than other
bead workers as to how many design elements can be made with wampum beads.
The same design element, therefore, may be used on different projects to
convey entirely different meanings.
A square or rectangle, for example, may signify a union of families or nations on one belt. On another it may be symbolic of the Great Spirit. It is nearly impossible to accurately read someone else's belt without their input. [Top of Page]
They're Only Reminders
Each element in an overall design only serves as a reminder - an individual step within the entire
story. Many smaller belts were often used to tell the full story
of an alliance or a family's history. On many occasions, instead
of belts, long strands of beads were strung in a certain color sequence and
presented in a certain order to convey the message.
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