Material Culture
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The mobile lifestyle of the Paiute is reflected in their material culture. Basketry was emphasized over pottery, although ceramics were used by some groups. Their structures reflected low labor investment, with the winter homes of most Paiute being conical, brush covered structures and summer homes being little more than windbreaks or sunshades. However, the Chemehuevi—who adopted the farming lifestyle of the Colorado River tribes-- constructed earth-covered dwellings similar to those made by the Mohave, and some groups on the northwestern periphery of the Southern Paiute territory adopted the tipi from the Utes.
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Paiute summer shelters, 1873 Source - http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_01635.jpg
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Paiute women were expert basket weavers. During their frequent moves, possessions were carried in large burden baskets transported on the back. Grass seeds were collected with the help of basketry seed beaters, which were used to sweep the seeds into a conical basket. Once collected the seeds would be winnowed and parched, and then ground into a flour that could be cooked into a gruel or made into a type of bread.
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Source - http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c10000/3c16000/3c16500/3c16525r.jpg |
Source - http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_01607no2.jpg |
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Woman using a seedbeater to collect grass seeds in a conical basket |
Paiute woman carrying burden baskets on their back. (Also note the woven basketry hats they wear, a typical Paiute feature) |
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