In my continuing quest to find inspirational textiles, I made my way to the wonderful Native American festival, held in Vienna, MD, on September 15th. The festival has celebrated the Eastern Shore traditions of the Nause-Waiwash tribe, for the past 21years. They featured many vendors, from around the country, and put on a wide variety of performances. The audience was treated to a breathtaking experience for the senses; the music, incense, dancing, and food made for a perfect day.
Quilting used in the Native American garment.
But, I was there for the clothes, and I was not disappointed. The main event, dancing in the sacred circle, was a wonderful display of textile glory. We got front row seats, and were able to see all of the best action. The dancers came from around the country, representing 40 different tribes. This was a wonderful way to experience the textile traditions of several tribes, in one place. The dancers’ garments featured a variety of cultures, that when combined created a whirlwind of color and texture. I found myself drawn to the details of the beads, embroidering, fringe, and painting.
What can we learn from the textile traditions of Native Americans? Don’t be afraid of color; mix colors, in every
The fringe flies in the scared circle.
shade and hue to find new combinations. Think in three dimensions, seeing the fringes fly and the feathers flutter make a textile look like a living, breathing creature. And of course, the mixing of the contemporary and the traditional techniques celebrates the past while making it relevant to the modern viewer.
Look for future dates of this festival and others like it at: http://www.nativegatherings.com