Bandolier bags are extremely intricate beaded shoulder bags of great ceremonial importance to the Cherokee, Seminole, and other Woodland Indian tribes. They were also used extensively by the Ojibwe tribes around the Great Lakes. Incidentally, Cherokee oral tradition says the Cherokee once lived around the Great Lakes, too, before migrating to the Southeast several hundred years ago.

The most beautiful of tradtional Native American bags, bandolier bags are still made and used for cultural and ceremonial occasions, but rarely are offerred for sale in the fine art market. One of these bags sold at auction at Christies of New York last January for $132,000.00.

In the mid-1600s, the Cherokee began trading for European glass seed beads, steel needles, silk thread and ribbon, and trade cloth made of wool, cotton and linen. Along with the other tribes of the southeastern United States, they began to produce beadwork that was both unique and exquisite.

This art form reached its peak about 1800 - 1840. Floral designs and clan symbols were favorite motifs.

The exchange of beaded bandolier bags became important in Southeastern Woodlands tribal diplomatic protocol among the Cherokee, Creek and Seminole. The bandollier bag is worn by both men and women for ceremonial dances and important ceremonies, but is almost always made by a woman.

Click here for a larger picture of the whole bag
When the Cherokee people were forcibly removed to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears, their losses were so devastating, that there was no longer time or materials to make fancy beadwork. Over the next few generations, the loss of this art form was so complete that, by the end of the 20th century, very few Cherokees were able to recognize their own ancestors’ beadwork.

At that time, there were only about a dozen artists in the world who were accomplished in the unique art of pre-removal Southeastern Woodlands beadwork. Just recently, there has been a resurgance of this lost craft, as a small group of Cherokee young people are once again learning the intricacies of this traditional style of bag and it's beautifully unique style of beadwork.

We are proud to present the work of one of these emerging Cherokee bandolier artists, Ms. Pamela Aurel Martin, who lovingly made this traditional Cherokee Bear Clan Bandolier Bag over a period of several months, laboring long hours over the hundreds and hundreds of hand placed stitches. This bag is totally unique, filled with symbolism and power, and you will never find another like it anywhere in the world.

The body of this bandolier bag has a large beaded bear paw with an embedded symbol representing the life giving forces of the Sun bringing happiness and good health, and a resin bear claw, to remind us of the marks we make upon the land for future generations.

The Bear is known as a powerful medicine animal, with great healing powers. The bear itself knows how to use the medicine plants, and will seek them out for his own ailments. That is why there are so many plants that have 'Bear' in thier common names. Bear Medicine is known in virtually all cultures within the bear's range.

Members of the Cherokee Bear Clan were protectors of the earth. This clan was also known as the Raccoon Clan, the Blind Savannah Clan, and the Wild Potato Clan. The Wild Potato Clan were the farmers and gatherers of the wild potato plants. Clan color is Green. Clan Wood is Birch.

The foliage and berries along the strap represent black berry and bear berry vines, both important native medicines with great healing powers. The artist remembered picking these berries with her Grandmother, and thus honors her Elder with their inclusion on this bag.

The white flowers on the body and strap of this bandolier bag are wild Cherokee Roses, which are said to have sprung from the tears the women shed on the Trail of Tears, sent to bring a smile and strengthen their spirits. The rose hips that come from these flowers are a favorite food of the bear and one of nature's strongest sources of Vitamin C. A tea made of rose hips has restorative powers that quickly relieve fatique and promote healing.

This bandolier bag is made from a red wool blended cloth, and trimmed with ribbons, wool tassles, and intricate beadwork. It is lined with calico cotton.

This bag won Best of Show at the San Bernardino County Fair in Victorville, CA in 2005. This bag is truely a work of cultural significance and also a geat piece of fine art. It's a steal at this price, sure to be gone quickly. ONE-OF-A-KIND!

This Southeastern Woodland Bandolier Bag is the handiwork of Cherokee artist Pamela Aural Martin and will come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The hanger and turkey feather are for display purposes, only, and are not included.

View the artist's profile and see more of her work.