Mat

Item number 1096/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Plain mat of parallel light brown tule reeds. Black wool and red twine woven into side bindings. Double layer of weaving. Woven strips attached to both ends with braided trim.

History Of Use

Mats of cattails or tule reed stems were produced by Salish groups. Homer Barnett notes that cat-tail was "an all-purpose fabric and turned the rain very well. In summer, long mats covered the framework of temporary dwellings. In winter, they padded the walls of the plank houses. At all times they were used to sit, to eat, and to sleep on, and as coverings and paddings of various kinds (1955:122)." Sizes varied depending on the purpose, and most families would possess a range of sizes.

Cultural Context

shelter; transportation; domestic

Specific Techniques

The leaves used for making cat-tail mats are gathered in the summer, cut to even lengths, dried in the sun on the beach, and then stored until needed. The leaves were layed out side by side, alternating the tops and bottoms, and threaded at 10 cm intervals (SeeTurner, 1979, p150). The cat-tail mats were then sewn together by passing a long hardwood needle through a series of stems, then crimping the stems over the needle with a coarse wooden creaser to prevent splitting, before drawing the thread through. (By contrast, tule mats are twined together with cordage).