The Corn Husk Doll

One of the many uses of corn husks are making dolls. The story of the corn husk doll can be viewed at... http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/lesson-plan.html#DOLL

This particular picture is from the website of a woman who specializes in making decorative corn husk dolls.

For instructions to make your own Corn Husk Doll or other cornhusk crafts, visit... http://www.sacredspiral.com/crafts/husks/index.html

(6)

This is a cornhusk bed mat made by the Iroquois.  It is made of rolled husks sewn with basswood cord, and has braided edges.

(2)

This is a cornhusk foot mat made by the Seneca.  It is braided and sewn in a coil, with fringe from spliced cornhusks left on one side.

This is a bag made by the Narragansett.  It is made of corn, wool, and basswood.

This is a cornhusk moccasin made by the Seneca.  It is constructed by two-stranded twining.

Other Native American material uses of corn include ropes, bottles, bandages, scrub brushes, toilet paper, bottle stoppers, medicine tubes, body powder, paper, gunpowder, fuel, darts, ceremonial rattles, and toys for children. 

 Traditionally, there is a way to use every part of the corn plant, but in modern society we don't utilize this option.  (7)

References: 

(1) http://www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/threesisters.html

(2) http://www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/cornhusk.html

(3) http://www.sacredspiral.com/crafts/husks/corndoll/index.html

(4) http://www.nps.gov/dewa/InDepth/Spanning/stgCORN.html

(5) http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/lesson-plan.html#DOLL

(6) http://www.tyendinaga.net/amsp/youth99/chdoll/chdindex.html

(7) Interview with Mike Galban of the Seneca Nation

Created by:  Sarah Diehl