The National Museum of American Indian

Native America has its long history in South America and North America, and most of them did have its language so that they could write down their history except for Maya. Response to this, The National Museum of American Indian provide an efficient and feasible way for a visitor to know native America regarding lifestyle, spiritual worship, and history.

In the museum, there are quite large number of collections that document more than hundreds of Native America history through media data, paper archive, photograph and old articles for daily use and so on, such as buffalo robes, narrative drawings, musical instruments, tipi cover, saddle blanket, masks, arrow, jewelry, headdress, baby bag, embroidered clothing, etc.

From this museum trip, it is not difficult to find the symbolism of Native America. Firstly, What is symbolism? Symbolism is a system of symbolic representations when people see those things; they quickly connect the things belong to a group or a certain thing. There are three things widely accepted as the symbolism of American Indian; the first one is their headdress and feather, the feather of various kinds are used for ceremonial purposes. Without a doubt, most of the people would agree that the headdress with black eagle feather or colorful turkey feather is native American unique and visible dressing if we see that headdress, we would directly connect it with American Indian. On the one hand, native America will wear the headdress at some important events or ceremonies, it also has some special meaning, a person wearing a headdress with eagle feather indicate his braveness and power, just a warrior who have fought have the right to wear this headdress. Feather already became a typical decoration of Native America’s clothing and headdress, on the other hand, the colorful feather headdress also shows their enthusiasm.

The second one is kinds of the animal figure and photo, such as a bear mask, bear effigy pipe, bear headdress, eagle feather, and so on. There are several animals that have special meaning in their mind. For example, the bear means protector in their culture, it also has the meaning of leadership and authority, American have a favor for bear, so we can see a great variety of bear-like decoration, the trace of a bear means braveness and power, deer means gentleness and grace, beaver means hard-working, and eagle means wisdom. Moreover, They learn to draw wisdom from the natures; the beaver dance is among travel dance of tradition can be a good proof. For a long time, American Indian hold a humble attitude towards the natural world, they think the relationship between human and nature should be harmonious, and they are equal instead of prioritizing human interest over nature, therefore, even they hunt deer for living, they still think they cannot hunt too much, because, at early time, they know they should give a space for deer proliferate.

The third one is their lifestyle. Arrow, bow, embroidered arrow bag, narrative paintings and saddle blanket, all of this indicate their hunting lifestyle. Long age, native America relied heavily on the hunting even they can plant some food like Indian corn, rice, and pumpkin, every male need to learn hunting technic in very young age. From narrative painting by new artist, it shows a scene of current Native America life; they ride a horse as standard as a motor or other vehicles.

All artworks collect in the museum exhibit to the visitor an enthusiastic, friendly, and brave Native America; they love bright color clothing and exquisite handicrafts. Meanwhile, they know how to keep a good relation with nature.