Oneida Arts and Crafts

Indian tribes were known for many things, including their clothes, traditions and legends. The Oneida tribes, along with the many other Iroquois tribes, were known for not only these things, but their arts and crafts as well.

The arts and crafts that the Oneida made can be seen in many museums and art galleries. They were most known for their mask carving. The masks were considered a sacred art form and they were not allowed to be to be seen by other tribes or outsiders. Many of the Oneida tribe believes that the live masks should not be sold or displayed in public places. They believe they are meant to be used for religious rituals and that displaying them publicly is sacrilegious. While some of the Oneida tribe members carve false live faces, the others still believe that this is wrong and are petitioning to have this stopped.

The Oneida are also known for other crafts such as their beadwork. They would use shells, coral, turquoise and other stones to make their necklaces. They also use things like bark, animal bones, horns and teeth. The necklaces wore worn by many in the tribe.

Another common craft that the Oneida made were the porcupine quillwork. It was a very popular form of art that involved the softening and dying of stiff porcupine quills. Once they dyed them, they would weave them onto leather or bark. They also used the porcupine quills to make shirts, medicine bags and baskets.

The Oneida were a very talented group of people. Their crafts were extensive. Not only did they craft bead work and porcupine quill baskets, but they crafted wampum beads too. They used purple shells to create them and the used them for currency. Their wampum belts often had pictures of their families on them that represented their family or told a story.

Oneida arts and crafts are pieces of history that tell more than stories. They are used to enrich our own history and learn about the culture of the Oneida people. The Oneida crafts are personal pieces of each life of the Indians. They should be cherished and treated with respect.