Lila O'Neale's Yurok-Karok Basket Weavers, first published in 1932, remains one of the finest and most comprehensive books devoted to American Indian basketry. In contrast to the typical treatment of tribal arts in her day, which saw them as homogeneous, anonymous, and conservative, O'Neale regarded the weavers as individuals, with personal styles and outlooks and a capacity for innovation. A pioneer in the study of Native American art, she presented the art from the weaver's point of view. In addition to an introduction by O'Neale scholar Margot Schevill, this edition includes an...

The people of the Klamath River region in Northwestern California possess one of the richest carving traditions in Native American art. Today this tradition is undergoing an exciting revival, reaching aesthetic heights not seen in a century. This volume includes a facisimile reprint of a 1930 essay by archaeologist Isabel Kelly, "The Carver's Art of the Indians of Northwestern Califrnia." An extensive introduction to the art by Ira Jacknis is the first substantial writing on this subject in over half a century. It is comprehensive and based on information from the makers and users of these...

At the time of its publication in 1908, Pomo Indian Basketry was the most complete and detailed study of a single Native American basketry tradition. The work, prepared as Samuel Barrett's doctoral dissertation, earned the author the first Ph.D. in anthropology at UC Berkeley. Among its contents are sections devoted to materials, techniques, forms, and designs. This edition is supplemented with two early articles, "Basket Designs of the Pomo Indians" by Barrett (1905) and "California Basketry and the Pomo" by his teacher Alfred Kroeber (1909). Sherrie Smith-Ferri's introduction...

Despite the importance and fascination of its subject, this is the first book devoted to the Native cuisines of California. It includes the food-related sections from many hard-to-find sources. Representing all regions of modern California, these detailed descriptions present the full range of Native food from gathering through storage, processing, cooking, and eating, as well as the role of food in myth and ritual. Selections on changes in food customs introduce comtemporary essays and photographs by Native Californians. An introduction by anthropologist Ira Jacknis focuses on cooking and...