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VII. Southern Paiute basketry Among the Las Vegas Paiutes Ten Kate collected three twined baskets: a small conical carrying or seed basket, probably meant for a girl (RMV 362-123); a winnowing tray (RMV 362-124); and a small basket or woman's hat with two decorative bands (RMV 362-125. [24] Twining is one of the oldest techniques with which plant fibres are woven into a variety of shapes, degrees of rigidity, and products, from flexible mats and bags to sturdy baskets and sandals. The winnowing tray was used to separate chaff and shells from seeds and nuts that were collected during the harvest season. The loosening of the chaff and opening of the pinenuts was accomplished by mixing hot charcoal with the seeds and nuts on the trays, and rhythmically tossing the contents of the tray into the air, continuing for as long as it took to dispose of the chaff and shells or to open the pinenuts. This required dexterity and attentiveness from the women, to avoid burning the trays. Depending on specific requirements, winnowing trays were woven tightly or open, in the latter case also functioning as a sieve. Conical carrying baskets came in all sizes, from small ones used by little girls imitating and helping their mothers in gathering a wide variety of edible seeds, to large ones used for carrying all kinds of household goods. [25] | |
