gathering juncus

Master basketweaver Abe Sanchez gathering Juncus textilis, one of the four predominant plants used for basketweaving by southern California Indians.

This particular stand of  juncus has really rich browns on the earth ends. These are the brown colors basketweavers use for the patterns in their baskets.

Abe and Sean Bogner are tying up bundles of juncus, which Abe will then store in his refrigerator until he teaches his Living Traditions class next week-end at the Agua Caliente Cultural Center in Palm Springs where participants will learn to weave whole rod juncus baskets.

~ by deborah small on October 18, 2009.