Engraved Native American symbols > Info Center > Declaring your Native American Heritage

Declaring your Native American Heritage

Native Americanism is the actual practice of celebrating and openly declaring one’s Native American heritage. For many years, the majority of individuals with American Indian ancestry would reveal it to others in little more than a statement of what percentage of Indian that their grandmother or grandfather was. Things have changed over the past few decades as a general steady uprising has been seen in the American Indian population of the United States. These days, it is not unusual to hear about an Indian clan popping up in a local area. Those descendents of the original natives of our country are now proudly declaring their Indian heritage. You can do the same with very little effort involved.

It is as simple as doing an Internet search for Powwow’s in your region. A Powwow is a gathering of Native American descendents in a particular area. It doesn’t matter what particular tribe that you originated from, nor your race or religion. All that matters is that you either descend from a native bloodline or have a deep respect for it. Often, those who have no American Indian bloodline at all are enlisted into tribes, simply due to the fact that they have such a deep respect for the roots of this great country.

Going to a Powwow requires no preparation, but if you really want to blend in with the Native American crowd, you can dress the part. There are two approaches to this. The more difficult and often expensive is that of actually going out and buying the native American regalia. This can consist of a leather dress for the ladies or loincloths for the men, along with leather accessories. However, there is a more affordable and less extensive manner in which you can feel like a part of the crowd. Leather engraved items and wood engraved items are the way. Simply a nice buck knife with a leather engraved knife case worn on your belt will do, as well as an engraved staff or leather vest. Basically any item that is worn outwardly will do fine. The key is not in the item, but in the engraving itself.

You see, the Native Americans were symbolic people. They had no alphabet, as everything written was written in images. There were symbols for morning, night, hunting, bravery, evil, good, and virtually any other concept that we now have words for. Consider what you want your paraphernalia to reveal about yourself, your statement, and either engrave it yourself or have it engraved into the item of your choice. The trick is to make sure that the symbol or symbols that you use are authentic, just as those used hundreds of years ago.

Native Americans tend to be very learned individuals. They spend days, weeks, and even years studying every possible aspect of their heritage. Nine out of ten Native Americans that you run into at the local Pow Wow will know exactly what your knife case engraving, or whatever your object of choice, stands for. It’s affordable and it will make you fit right in.

Bookmark this article at Del.icio.us

[ Return to information center ]

Related topics:

Glass etching
Metal art & design

Want more information? Sign up for our Custom hand engraving mailing list:

We will not share or sale your email address or other information. You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time.