Wampum is a traditional shell bead of the Eastern Woodlands tribes of Native Americans. It includes white shell beads hand-fashioned from the North Atlantic channeled whelk shell and white and purple beads made from the quahog or Western North Atlantic hard-shelled clam.

This exhibition unites contemporary indigenous artists and educators in retelling history from the indigenous perspective and through a powerful piece of traditional art. Wampum belts are a tapestry of art and tribal history, and each belt tells a story through its unique design.

Nov 11, 2015 · But West Tisbury carpenter, shipwright, and artist Frank Rapoza has turned wampum into another art form. He uses it to make finely detailed, one-of-a-kind mosaic panels.

Perhaps the clearest evidence of a rejuvenated scholarly interest in wampum is the remarkable ongoing collaborative project “On the Wampum Trail: Restorative Research in North American Museums,” headed by Margaret Bruchac: https://wampumtrail.wordpress.com. Instances of recent museological interest in wampum include the exhibitions Nation ...

Apr 12, 2024 · The art of wampum is a beautiful and intricate craft that has been practiced by the Iroquois people for centuries. These belts, strings, and other works of art are created from intricately strung shells, each carefully selected for its color, shape, and size.

Use the navigation bar above at the bottom of the photo to discover all parts of the 360-degree tour. Click the green icons to learn about the art and the blue video icons to learn about wampum.

Mar 4, 2017 · This March, the contemporary art exhibition Wampum World: An Art Installation by Renée Ridgway opens at the Albany Institute of History & Art in Albany, New York. This multimedia exhibition is an artist’s interpretation of the changing meaning of wampum from culture to culture and time period to time period.

Dec 20, 2017 · Wampum is an American Indian bead made from the shells of the quahog, or hard-shelled clam, and the channeled whelk of the Atlantic coast. It came in two basic colors: white and purple, although beads were sometimes painted in other colors such as red.

The word "Wampum" comes from the Narragansett word for 'white shell beads'. Wampum beads are made in two colors: white ("Wòmpi") beads ("Wompam") from the Whelk shell ("Meteaûhock"), and purple-black ("Súki") beads ("Suckáuhock") from the growth rings of the Quahog shell ("Suckauanaûsuck").

Sep 9, 2023 · Iroquois wampum belts are more than just intricate designs made from beads – they are a way of communicating stories, beliefs, and traditions. Each belt has its own unique pattern and symbolizes something important to the Iroquois culture.