Making Tule Mats

In this overview caryldene swan from the coeur d alene tribe of indians demonstrates the basic steps of making a tule reed mat.

Making tule mats.

Another mat making method is to sew the tule together with cordage. Tule is a plant that grows in wetland habitats in california and in many different locations worldwide. Primitive and native cultures used and still use this versatile plant for food and making tule boats homes mats baskets clothing and much more. In addition to demonstrating how to create the mats swan discusses the materials required to make the mats some of the traditional uses for mats and the qualities of tule reed that make them useful for constructing shelters.

Every tribe choose a type of housing to suit their lifestyle the climate the environment and the natural resources known as biomes that were available to them and the tribes of the plateau. Karen taught about the variety of uses that tule had and taught about the historical significance of the plant in chumash life. Tule is just one example of how cultural activities are starting to disappear because of environmental change. This method s greatest advantage is that it does not require a fiber plant like dogbane.

Tule stems were used to make floor and sleeping mats cordage skirts for thatching houses for baskets and much. The tule plants were tall enough green enough and abundant enough. If you re looking for a durable play mat for your little tot then you ll love this relatively easy and very cheap project. It is still possible to make items like baskets and mats but a lot more difficult to make boats or houses.

Swan and leanne cambell also from the coeur d alene tribe of indians discuss the experience of harvesting tule reeds. In the fall the tule leaves begin to die and. Before the salish got horses for bison hunting they lived in tents covered with sewed mats of tule. Dyed and woven tules are used to make baskets bowls mats hats clothing duck decoys and even boats by native american groups.

A tule mat made with tule cordage has larger gaps between rows of tule because tule cordage is a thick twining material. Mats may be twined together using lengths of twisted tule. Diy instructions and project credit sewhomegrown. Tule mats are also used to dry traditional foods and are employed as table mats during feasts.

At least two tribes the wanapum and the pomo people constructed tule houses as recently as the 1950s and still do for special occasions. These mats served a number of different functions including the construction of lodging floor coverings and for serving food. Tule mat weaving demonstration overview. They are an essential part of special ceremonies such as name givings weddings funerals and medicine singings.

Tule mats are used on the walls of traditional structures such as teepees and longhouses. Now the remaining tule is often too short and dried out.