bushnell] the CHOCTAW OP BAYOU LACOMB, LOUISIANA 15 



of natural colored cane, no dyes being used. The strap (aseta) passes 

 through four loops of the cane, as are shown in the illustration. 

 Tliis particular basket was made at Bayou Lacomb about five years 

 ago by Pisatuntema (Emma), plate 17. 



Taposhake sliakapa (basket elbow [shape]). — A very old specimen 

 of this peculiar basket is shown in plate 18. Tliis is made of cane, 

 some parts being colored yellow and red with native dyes. 



Taposhake cliufa (basket pointed). — A typical specimen is shown 

 in plate 18. This is claimed by the Choctaw to be one of the oldest 

 forms made by them. 



Covered haskets. — These are no longer made, although they are 

 remembered by women as they were fashioned a generation ago. 

 Two examples are here shown: (a) Plate 19, a. This is a very large 

 double basket, formed of two distinct thicknesses of cane; the lower 

 part is 18 inches in height. The basket is rectangular in form. The 

 cover is about 5 inches in depth. The ornamentation is formed of 

 canes dyed red and yellow. The specimen is a rare example of 

 Choctaw basketry. (6) Plate 19,6. A very old basket of Choctaw make. 

 This is a double weave, made entirely of natural colored cane, no 

 dyes having been used. The dimensions are: Length, 8^ in.; width, 

 4 in. ; depth, 5 in. 



Another form of basket, no longer made but formerly common, 

 was designed to hang on the wall. The basket proper was rectan- 

 gular or slightly oval in shape. One side extended 8 or 10 inches 

 above the other and was provided with a loop at the top, by means 

 of which the basket was suspended from a nail or peg. 



The sieve, winnowing basket, and large flat basket, or tapa, are 

 described in the section treating of the preparation of food (pp. 8, 9). 



The Choctaw at Bayou Lacomb have no knowledge of mats ever 

 having been made or used in their tribe. 



CORDS 



Narrow strips of the bark of the cypress tree (Cupressus disticha; 

 Choctaw, shamgo'lo) serve as cords, which are employed for various 

 purposes. Spanish moss was never used to make ropes. 



METAL 



Ornaments, as pins, earrings, etc., were formerly made by ham- 

 mering silver coins until they became thin and then perforating them 

 in various designs. 



SOCIAL CULTURE 



It is interesting to know that many of the primitive beliefs and 

 customs of the people here dealt with have persisted to the present 

 day, notwithstanding the fact that the Choctaw have been in close 



