Ancient Cultural Traditional Artisans

LaurieLovesLearning

I want this to be a thread where we share very unique ancient "crafts" that are being kept alive by a select few in their area. Let's celebrate these hard-working makers found around the globe!

I really enjoy learning about these unique processes & products that have been handed down to a select few over an unknown number of generations. Some of these skills take very many years to perfect. I think the ink block making, that I mention below takes 10+ years to learn well.

I have read of traditional ink block makers (in Japan, I think), traditional sword making also in Japan, silk dying, paper making, wool felted cloth & clothing, indigo dye producers, wine makers, and much, much more. All these are done in the traditional method, with no modern conveniences.

I have such respect for those often humble people who are willing to continue to do things the old way. In today's day & age, it makes these products very special. I respect those who are also willing to learn from the masters of their craft.

The first one I'd like to share with you is the process of making Dinosaur Eggs in the Phillipines.

https://outoftownblog.com/asin-tibuok/amp/

https://www.philippineseasalts.com/asin-tibuok

An article or video is very acceptable to post. I hope everyone can enjoy this same journey of exploration with me.

Torey

This was a fascinating read! I'd never heard of this before. Would love to try some but can't find a Canadian supplier and can't afford the US prices and shipping.

Torey

We have a spinners and weavers guild in the large community half an hour away. They were doing a spinning demo at the fall fair this year and one of them had a spindle that she was spinning with. I'm not sure if she does this regularly or if it was just a demo but she was quite good at it. I have a wheel and have done a bit of spinning (not for quite awhile) but have never tried a spindle. I would think that it would take a lot of practice to be able to get a fine, workable wool with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKAJTKvl0nE

I think I will stick with my wheel and try to perfect that.

water2world

@Torey I went to a demo and a lady was using a spindle. I was impressed, asked questions and she showed me how to start. A few weeks later, I bought a spindle, surely I could do that! Wrong!!! I bought a couple of books, still wasn't working. Of course, it had to be the spindle and not me! Several spindles later, I have a small bouquet of spindles in a vase on my dresser. I admire anyone that can spin using a spindle!!

LaurieLovesLearning

I've looked into the spindle. It is said to take a lot of practice to get it right.

water2world

@LaurieLovesLearning I had never heard of making Dinosaur Eggs and I also love this thread idea.

I have some friends that are Cherokee Indians and I love talking about the "old ways". When the children were very small, they learned to use a blow gun. When they could hit the target (made of leaves etc in a ball shape), adults would then roll the ball and the child would try to hit the target --they could walk along beside it and try. Once that was mastered, the ball was rolled fast (like hunting a rabbit). Next the ball was tossed in the air as if surprising a flock of birds, and the child would have to hit the target in the air. This game prepared them to be hunters. My friend's grandson learned this---it is not a forgotten art, although limited.

I am learning to play the Native American flute from them.

LaurieLovesLearning

Here is a video featuring the ink makers.

https://youtu.be/GSuFSYY-X9w?si=dJjLN6M401oA9UXw

vickeym

These are quite interesting. We have a lot of native Alaskans here. Many do baskets weaving that is very intricate. A lady tried to show me once but my fingers couldn't get the hang of weaving the grasses she was using. So tiny any delicate little treasures she was making.

SuperC

Are there links so we can purchase what is being made by the people who continue making crafts using the old ways methods?

LaurieLovesLearning

@SuperC That is an interesting question. I tended to just go looking online if I heard of a unique skill still being practiced. Often these are expensive not only due to the process, but often due to exchange rates & shipping.

I'd welcome the posting of links within this thread to places offering these artisans' wares.

judsoncarroll4

Very cool! I really get into the Scandanavian style of woodcarving. Here are some great videos:

https://youtu.be/yWeB_kFcZ34?si=AmK_d0lEZskUCWpN

https://youtu.be/KYwsFsPIBYM?si=YdZa7-DiMgFHZ6RQ

https://youtu.be/v4kB7JOVkqw?si=RXiLvfjgdqDYb9BN

jowitt.europe

https://ltfai.org/lithuanian-folk-art/straw-ornaments-siaudinukai/

These are ornaments for houses, living rooms made of straw. We call them “sodas” like gardens. The hand from the ceiling and move in slightest wind. I always admired them but never learned to make them.

jowitt.europe

https://ltfai.org/lithuanian-folk-art/papercut-art-karpiniai/

also the paper cut art. The cuts would be framed and hung as pictures. I have a few at home.

The images are from Pinterest

LaurieLovesLearning

@jowitt.europe Many years ago (25 or so), wheat weaving was popular. The secret to being able to make the stalks pliable and not have them shatter when manipulating them was to soak them for a recommended period of time. I no longer remember for how long.

I suspect that would also be done when making the sodas.