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DREAM CATCHERS

 
 

Ethnographer Frances Densmore in 1929 recorded an Ojibwe legend according to which the "spiderwebs" protective charms originate with Spider Woman, known as Asibikaashi; who takes care of the children and the people on the land. As the Ojibwe Nation spread to the corners of North America it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. So the mothers and grandmothers weave webs for the children, using willow hoops and sinew, or cordage made from plants. The purpose of these charms is apotropaic ( meaning to ward of Evil) and not explicitly connected with dreams. 

Even infants were provided with protective charms. Examples of these are the "spiderwebs" hung on the hoop of a cradle board. In old times this netting was made of nettle fiber. Two spider webs were usually hung on the hoop, and it was said that they "caught any harm that might be in the air as a spider's web catches and holds whatever comes in contact with it.

Basil Johnston, an elder from Neyaashiinigmiing, in his Ojibway Heritage (1976) gives the story of Spider (Ojibwe: asabikeshiinh, "little net maker") as a trickster figure catching the Snake in his web.   

 

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White Dream Catcher with pink beads 16cm ring
White Dream Catcher – Blue Bead 20cm Ring
White Owl Dreamcatcher 20cm Owl 35cm Length
WHITE RATTAN TEAR DROP WITH WHITE SWAN FEATHERS AND SOFT SAGE GREEN BEADS 16X25CM HOOP
WHITE RATTAN TEAR DROP DREAMCATCHER WITH WHITE SWAN FEATHERS AND SOFT APRICOT BEADS 25cm x 16cm ring
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