In some Native American cultures, a dreamcatcher or Dreamers (Ojibwe: Asabikeshiinh, the inanimate form of the word for “Spider “) is a handmade willow ring, in which a net or a Web is woven. Dreamcatcher can also include sacred objects such as certain feathers or pearls. They are traditionally hung often over cribs as protection. It originates in the Ojibwe culture as the “Spider Web Charm ” (Ojibwe: asubakacin “Net-like “, white ground band; Bwaajige ngwaagan “Dream SNARE “, curved Lake band), a loop with woven rope or tendons intended to replicate a spider web, used as an enc Anto of the children.
DreamCatchers were adopted in the Pan-Indian Movement of the Decade 1960 and 1970 and gained popularity as a widely marketed “native handicrafts” in the decade of 1980.
While the dreamcatchers continue to be used traditionally in their communities and cultures of origin, a form derived from “DreamCatchers ” were also adopted in the Pan-Indian Movement of the years 1960 and 1970 as a symbol of unity between The various Native American cultures, or a general symbol of identification with Native American cultures or First Nations.
In the course of becoming popular outside the Ojibwe nation, and then out of the Indian communities, various types of “DreamCatchers “, many of which have little resemblance to traditional styles, and even incorporate materials that work against the Intended purpose, now done, is exhibited, and sold by age groups and young individuals. Many Native Americans have come to see these “DreamCatchers ” as over-marketed, offensively misappropriated and misused by non-natives.
