Ravenstail weaving facts for kids
Ravenstail weaving (also called yeil koowu) is a special way of weaving. It uses cool geometric shapes and patterns. People from the Northwest Coast have practiced this art for a very long time.
Contents
History of Ravenstail Weaving
Where Ravenstail Weaving Started
Ravenstail weaving began with the Tsimshian people. Later, the Tlingit and Haida weavers in Alaska kept this tradition alive. Many believe Ravenstail weaving came before another style called Chilkat weaving.
How Ravenstail Weaving Looks
Ravenstail weaving uses sharp, straight lines and simple shapes. It usually has only a few colors. In contrast, Chilkat weaving looks more natural. It has curved lines and uses more colors.
Materials and Techniques
Ravenstail uses a weaving method called 'twining'. This means two threads are twisted around each other to hold the fabric together. Weavers typically use black, white, and sometimes yellow yarn. This yarn was often made from mountain goat wool. These colors create the cool geometric patterns you see.
Rare Historical Pieces
Not many old Ravenstail robes still exist today. Only about a dozen of these special robes are kept in museums. You can find them in museums in North America and Europe.
Bringing Ravenstail Weaving Back
Why it Almost Disappeared
After the 1800s, Ravenstail weaving became less popular. New weaving styles and techniques started to appear. For about 200 years, almost no one practiced Ravenstail weaving. This ancient art nearly disappeared completely.
The Revival Effort
Cheryl Samuel was the first person to learn and recreate Ravenstail weaving. By the mid-1980s, she began teaching others how to do it. In 1987, she wrote a book called The Raven's Tail: Northern Geometric Style Weaving. This book helped share the knowledge.
In the 1990s, more people worked to bring back this traditional craft. Museums and cultural centers in Alaska helped a lot. Places like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka worked together. They involved both Native and non-Native people in the revival.
The Ravenstail Weaver's Guild
In November 1990, a group called the Ravenstail Weaver's Guild was formed. It started in Ketchikan through the Totem Heritage Center. This guild helped connect weavers from the United States and Canada. It made the weaving community stronger.
Recent Exhibitions
In 2021, an exhibition called The Spirit Wraps Around You was held. It was at the Alaska State Museum. This show featured Ravenstail weaving and other old textiles. It highlighted some of the oldest weavings from the Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples.
Amazing Ravenstail Weavers
Here are some of the talented weavers known for their work:
- Delores Churchill (Haida)
- Lily Hope (Tlingit)
- Lani Hotch (Tlingit)
- Marie Oldfield (Tsimshian)
- Clarissa Rizal (Tlingit)
- Teri Rofkar
- Cheryl Samuel (non-Native), who was key in bringing the technique back.
- Ann Smith (Tlingit/Tutchone)
- Evelyn Vanderhoop (Haida)
See also
- Button blankets
