Cahuilla Basketry

The tradition of Cahuilla basketry began hundreds of years ago.  Women made baskets for a variety of uses – in food preparation, and for social and religious purposes.  It was an art which many girls probably learned while they were growing up.  When Americans of European ancestry began to move into the area, Cahuilla women sold their baskets as a way to bring in cash and help support their families.

The art of basket making ran in families, to some extent.  All too often, when baskets were sold, the names of the makers were not documented. There are many excellent Cahuilla baskets in museums around the world today whose makers are unknown.  The baskets in this exhibit case, however, were al made by Cahuilla women whose names, families and talents are well remembered.

-Caption from Basket exhibit, Malki Museum

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