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PLAINS
style Pipes have been used by many different Nations over the
years. Traditionally used in Ceremony this style of Pipe can
hold enough tobacco for a large group, the bowl tends to get
hot so it is handled via the prow as that does not get as hot.
The bowl shown on the left is the regular size and shape for
a ceremonial or personal pipe. This one was crafted by Chuck
Derby
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The
older style has a squared off shank. This one made by Chuck
Derby. |
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There
are various styles of Plains Pipes, the first one is the basic
shape but the second one has a flared bowl and an elongated
prow. The stem of the second one made by Randy Stevens has
a lot of fringing on it to go with the more flamboyant style
of bowl.
The
old pipes that people like Sitting Bull and Red Cloud used
were much longer and thinner than those used today. Tim Brady
one of the Pipestone Dakota Community pipe makers creates
his in that thinner style
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ELBOW
style is traditionally a woman’s pipe.
This style are usually smaller because they tend to be used
more for personal or smaller ceremonial use. This one is the
basic style made by Chuck Derby.
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Also
crafted by Chuck this one is very ornate with a mini prow and
a four winds decoration on the shaft and bowl. This was crafted
from someones dream, and the stem was decorated with special
symbols from the vision.
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A
FOUR
WINDS
style by Randy Stevens, is a Plains style with grooves cut into
the pipe which represent the cardinal directions. In Native
American traditions each direction has a meaning and usually
a color dedicated to it. The Sacred colors as they are known
are Red, Yellow, White, Black and often Green and Blue. Each
Nation have their own system and some have none at all. This
Pipe style is very popular. Ours have the rings on the bowl,
or the shank. Some have more than 4 rings and these represent
Father Sky, Mother Earth and the Creator as well as the directions.
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This
Four Winds has rings deeply engraved in the bowl, that is crafted
from the real spotted stone. The spots are often called stars
and this one is almost a complete universe of stars. The stem
has regular decoration on it. Each quarry has it's own unique
coloring of stone. This stone comes from the 'Spotted Quarry'.
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This
Four Winds by Tim Brady is very slim and sleek again deep bands
cut into almost pure red stone. The stem is crafted from sumac
and is a simple design with no decoration to take away from
the natural beauty of the wood. Often Sundancers want an undecorated
stem so that they can add their own decoration to it.
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This
Pipe is a
BUFFALO EFFIGY
crafted by Mark Pederson. The Effigy Pipes can have various
animals sculpted although the Buffalo is very popular. Often
the person needing the pipe will choose his or her own animal
that they have visioned. On this stem Mark has added some turkey
feathers. (Raptor feathers cannot be used.)
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Again
a Pipe crafted by Mark Pederson. This time an EAGLE
CLAW
design. This is an old design as well and is of the eagle clutching
an egg. The stories are that the Thunderbird lives in Pipestone
and you must be very careful where you tread for fear of breaking
her eggs. This egg is safely held in it's mothers claws.
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There
are of course other designs but these are the most popular.
Anyone who crafts Pipes have their own favorite designs, each
to his or her own dreams, traditions and talents. These are
the ones traditional to the Pipestone Dakota Community's artisans.
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