Native American Feather Fan Gallery - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Rate This Article

 

Native American Fan & Gourdstitch Beadwork Gallery

American Indian Crafts :: Photos of Peyote Style Beadwork

Native American Fan & Gourdstitch Beadwork Gallery

American Indian Crafts :: Photos of Peyote Style Beadwork

Loose Feather Fans

Although the loose fan, or Peyote fan as it is sometimes called, is referred to as a fan, its main purpose is not to cool you off, but rather to be used as a social, ceremonial, or religious article. Loose fans are very popular among Feather Dancers and Gourd Dancers and are often used by other dancers as well, normally being carried in the left hand. Women seldom carry this type of fan, but when they do, they are most often carried in the right hand, with the shawl on the left arm.

This style fan can be made from a number of different types of feathers and sometimes several types are used together in the same fan. Depending upon the size of the feather, the number used varies from 10 to 50 feathers in a fan, with 12 being a common number. Eagle are quite often the preferred type of feather, but hawk, pheasant, macaw, scissortail, parrot, magpie, imitation eagle, and dyed or natural turkey feathers are also quite popular. Imitation eagle, turkey or pheasant are recommended today since many of the feathers mentioned above are now illegal. Hand painted imitation eagle or hawk feathers make a particularly beautiful fan and are readily available.

When used in the Native American Church, the fan is usually held in the right hand with the feathers held up by the first finger and thumb. “In this position, the fan is shaken in time with the beat of the song or held in the smoke of the cedar wood fire and then struck on various parts of the body, in this way transferring the power of the smoke to the body. It may be similarly smoked and struck by a doctor on the body of a sick person as a means of curing them. Between songs, the fan may be used to stir the air or struck in the palm of the left hand.” (Douglas, 1939:49)

Flat Feather Fans

The Flat Fan has been in use over a wide portion of the United States for many years and has been observed in many different styles. It is carried by dancers and non-dancers alike, both male and female, and is also used for religious purposes, as well as the practical use of cooling its owner. This style fan has gone through many refinements and reached its peak of development among the Oklahoma tribes, where it is most popular today.

“Anatomy” of a Feather Fan

  • FEATHERS FOR NATIVES: Feathers used include: macaws and parrots, eagles, hawks, magpies etc.
  • FEATHERS FOR NON-NATIVES: For non-natives feathers used include: impeyans, imitation (preferably hand-painted high quality reproductions that are straightened) eagles/hawks, macaws, parrots, turkeys, goose + legal feathers
  • FEATHER WORK: Made of goose feathers, chicken hackle, pheasant feathers, macaw body feathers, and many more. After the feather work is finished is sealed to keep from getting damaged.
  • THREAD WORK: Flat and stacked threads are used for thread work on quills/quill extenders of individual feathers.
  • LEATHER WORK: White commercial, suede leather is most common. Other hides used are smoked and brain tanned hides. Thin hides are preferred as fan handle and feather coverings.
  • FAN HANDLE: For flat fans, various shaped, carved wooden handles act as the base on which to secure the feathers and beadwork. On loose feather fans, carve a cylindrical/dowel shape, or purchase prepared handles with brass ferrules for removing the top, feather part of the fan.
  • BEADWORK: For the finest quality size 13 or 14 Czech seed or cut seed beads are used. The finish should be very smooth. 2 types of stitches are often used, gourd stitch and peyote stitch.
  • FRINGE: 2 Styles, twisted and straight cut buckskin fringe (see details below).

MAKING ROLLING BUCKSKIN FRINGE FOR YOUR FAN:

This following information and figures are from Crazy Crow Trading Post’s “American Indian Flat Dance Fan Construction” (by Rex Reddick, page 4), which explains why the figures begin with 12.

Flat Fan Craft Focus - by Rex Reddick - Crazy Crow Trading Post
Flat Fan Craft Focus - by Rex Reddick - Crazy Crow Trading Post

to cut these as evenly as possible in order to make the finished fringe an even diameter. If the thickness of the buckskin you are using varies along its length, the thinner end may need to be cut slightly wider than the thicker end, so you will need to experiment a little with this in order to get it right. Next, split each strip up the center to within 1/2″ of its end, thus leaving a small tab as shown inFigure 13. This can be done with scissors or using a straight edge and an X-acto knife or razor blade.

The next step can be done with the fringe either wet (damp) or dry, so try it both ways and use the method that works best for you. First, completely saturate the buckskin strip with water. Then squeeze out the excess water by running your fingers down the length, stretching it gently at the same time so as not to break it. Each piece should be treated uniformly so the fringe is evenly sized and not too thin or too thick when it is finished.

Grasp the tab of the fringe with the fingers of your left hand and lay the 2 “legs” of the fringe on your right thigh (Figures 14-19). With your right palm, begin rolling both pieces down your leg at the same time. As you do this, the end in your left hand will begin to twist by itself. Help it along and continue to roll with your right hand until the entire length is twisted and looks like a small rope. Move your left fingers down to just above the untwisted area with each roll and this will help you guide the twist and keep it from unrolling. When finished, roll the fringe back &forth under a smooth, flat object such as a cassette tape box and on a hard surface, such as a desktop, so as to give it a smooth, even shape. This will also help make it soft and pliable and thick areas can actually be thinned down a little bit using this trick.

Fig 20 Flat Fan Craft Focus - by Rex Reddick - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Figure 20: Twist one of the ends of the buckskin fringe tightly between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand.

Fig 21 Flat Fan Craft Focus - by Rex Reddick - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Figure 21: Reach under with the fingers and grasp the other side of the fringe.

Fig 22 Flat Fan Craft Focus - by Rex Reddick - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Figure 20: Turn the entire hand counterclockwise, thus wrapping the two halves of the fringe together. Then move the thumb and forefinger of the left hand up to hold the latest wrap.

fringe will remain nice and white. If necessary, white liquid shoe polish can be added for a bright white color or a “slick” look if you so desire.

10-A. Alternate Method of Rolling Buckskin Fringe*:

Another excellent method of making rolled buckskin fringe is the same as that used for making sinew bow strings (Figures 20-22). I suggest that you try both methods and use the one that works best for you. This method is not difficult, although like the other technique, it will take a little practice to twist both halves of the buckskin evenly. Simulated sinew is a good item to use to practice this method before using actual buckskin, as it rolls in a similar manner and is very inexpensive.

Assuming you are right handed, hold the tab (the end that is not split apart) between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. Grasp the upper side of the buckskin piece between the fingers of your right hand, within a couple of inches of your left hand, and twist it clockwise as shown in Figure 20. When it is tight, hold it between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and using the little finger and ring finger of the same hand, reach under and grasp the other side of the fringe piece as shown in Figure 21. Twist your right hand counterclockwise and use the fingers of the left hand to secure the twist that is put into the fringe as in Figure 22. Repeat the process with the other half of the fringe, and so on until it is completely twisted. Quite simply, what is being done is to twist the individual halves clockwise, and to twist them around each other counterclockwise. This wraps them upon themselves so they will not unravel.

After you have completed the twisting all the way to the end, it is usually not even necessary to secure the ends, although you might want to put a small dab of white glue on to keep them together while you smooth and size them as described in Step 11.

* Adapted with permission from Jim Hamm, Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans, Bois d´™Arc Press, Goldthwaite, TX, 1989.

11.”Chalk Line” Fringe:

As an alternative to rolling buckskin fringe, a twisted cotton cord is sometimes used as an inexpensive

substitute. This is made from 1/8´ ´chalk line´, which is available at most home improvement centers or lumber yards. Cut the cotton cord equal lengths anywhere from 6´ to 8´ in length. This should be in proportion to the size of the fan you are making and is normally an inch or two longer than the handle section. Next, dip the tip ends into white glue to prevent them from unraveling. Allow the glue to dry and then if desired, you can lightly paint the fringes with white liquid shoe polish to whiten it up and make it look more like real buckskin.

12. Attaching the Fringe:

The fringe can be attached to the handle at this time; however, you may prefer to wait until you are almost finished with the beadwork in order to avoid the fringe tangling with the beading thread as you work. First, cut all fringe to the same length, but be sure to cut from the loose end so that the tab ends all match. These tab ends hang down and keep the fringe from unrolling. Next, put a small amount of contact glue on one side of the loose end of each fringe and on the cut-out area at the bottom of the handle. After the glue is thoroughly dry, place the fringe uniformly around the handle and wrap it with thread to build this area up so that it is even with the rest of the handle. See Figures 23 and 24.

Fig 23 & 24 Flat Fan Craft Focus - by Rex Reddick - Crazy Crow Trading Post

Rate This Article