BoAS] BABY CARRIERS 211 
But they are at present far outnumbered by others who are rapidly 
developing the art of basketry decoration to the highest degree. It 
seems, however, that baby carriers have always been an exception 
to the rule, and that the practice has been to make them quite 
gaudy.” 
The kind of beaded work which is so often seen on baby baskets 
manufactured by the Lillooet, Squamish, and their coast neighbors 
is not used by the Thompson, and probably never has been. 
Most Thompson carriers are ornamented with simple beading or 
imbrication on one side only, or more generally on one side and ends, 
the opposite long side being left undecorated because it is always 
carried next to the bearer. The same thought seems to control the 
situation here as with the unadorned bottoms of baskets, or with 
the bare section of the burden basket which lies next the back. 
The left side of the basket, i. e., the side to the left of the child in 
the cradle, is the one which is decorated, for when carried on the 
mother’s back the cradle is horizontal and the child lies with its 
head toward the mother’s right, while the child’s right side is next 
Fic. 34.—Beaded designs for baby carriers 
to the mother. Mr. Teit thinks that the custom of carrying the 
baby in this manner has something to do with right-handedness 
and a belief in the superior or mystic nature of the right side, as 
opposed to the left. Some women say it is the most convenient 
method, while others give the usual reason: ‘‘It is the old way.” 
Nevertheless, there are carriers which are ornamented all around, 
but even when this is so the left side bears more elaborate work, 
and only a few are evenly decorated. Some are entirely without 
ornamentation, while others bear designs only about the rim. 
Figure 34 gives five beaded designs seen on baby carriers among 
the Upper Thompson. It was not known where the carriers so 
adorned had been made, as they had passed through several hands. 
It is possible that they were of Lillooet manufacture. The owner 
of one thought that hers had been made by the Lillooet, but was not 
sure, while the owner of another said she believed hers came from 
the Thompson living near Lytton, but she, too, was not certain. 
Several Thompson women said they could make all of the designs 
shown in Figure 34 if they chose. 
23 See also p. 148. 
