HOME PAGE

"Bridge to Assimilation"
Copyright to Morningstar Studio 2007

Kwai, Kwai, Nidobak

Welcome to fine gourd art by Morningstar, featuring designs and illustrations of stories of the Eastern Woodland Peoples. The focus of this site is on the preservation of Eastern Woodland themes and designs primarily of the Algonquin people known as Wabanaki.

All designs have been researched for identification of tribal affiliation as well as meanings of the designs which have come from baskets, bead work, and regalia of the northeast woodland people (Abenaki, MicMac, Malicite, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy). Other related tribes who adopted some of the designs are also represented including the Algonquin, Montagnais and Naskapi. Eventually, the use of the Woodland curves spread over a wide area of New England and Canada going as far as the Ojibway, Cree and Blackfoot. Some remnants of these designs can be found in their beadwork.

Although many of the meanings have been lost, those which remain reflect the belief that if medicine plants were used on household items or regalia, they would keep the family well and free of "bad spirits". Other artists will attest that they simply wished to reflect their love of nature and found inspiration along woodland paths. More recent designs which include animals and people, appear to have been introduced by the Jesuits in art school which were set up in New France. They reflect the more elaborate Victorian flair for the figures where as earlier works by Native artisans were more representative of their connection with the earth which provided for all their needs.

Even though gourds were not indigenous to North America, they have been cultivated on the continent since 1100 B.C. and have been used by Native Americans for many useful items such as utensils, pots, bowls, boxes, musical instruments and decorations. There are only a few gourd items which have survived the New England climate and those have been handed down from generation to generation within families.

I hope you will enjoy the artistic use of these beautiful designs which represent the woodland spirit of these beautiful people.

Oliwini,
Morningstar

Music on this site is "Dream Catcher" played by Ah Nee Mah from the CD, "Ancient Voices."

The language used throughout the site is Western Abenaki as referenced by the Western Abenaki Dictionary by Gordon Day.

All text and photos are copyrighted to Morningstar Studio, PO Box 88, Winsted, CT.

Site updated: June 17, 2010