Dig It - 4/25/22

Dig This!

These little trapezoid pouches were used by most of the Plains Tribes to carry flint, steel, and tinder used to start fires. Imagine how hard and labour intensive fire starting was in prehistoric times with a fire bow. It must have seemed like a miracle when Europeans brought iron, and Native Americans could then spark a fire with flint and steel. And now for us, flint and steel seems so labor intensive and obsolete.

To the Southern Plains Indians the flint and steel was so important it deserved its own beautifully decorated case. These cases or pouches are called “Strike-A-Lights” and are one of the highest expressions of Southern Plains beadwork in terms of colors and design. These Southern Plains Tribes took their greatest beadwork and distilled it down to fit these little pouches. Great ones like this can hold a whole blank wall, they are amazing pieces of art.

This example is most likely Kiowa and dates to the late 19th century. It is unusual in that the design is somewhat atypical and the craftswoman has substituted “white-heart” beads for the more traditional cranberry red beads. This strike-a-light is a little Masterpiece. Seek Out!