User:Jtrigue/Sacred bundle

Historical Significance
Many indigenous tribes commemorate and represent their culture through assembled pieces of artifacts which are significant in ceremonial rituals and daily life. These items are believed to protect and give spiritual guidance to any person that carries them as many believe that the vessels contain some sort of supernatural power. Often these items have been gifted by elder individuals in tribes and each bundle is unique.

Components
Individuals that come from different Native American tribes would often possess several meaningful items that varied in size. The contents inside these pouches varied by person and held different significance for each individual.

Small Pouches
Bags smaller in size are made of animal skin or woven with thread. These are carried around the neck close to the individual's heart or in pockets.

Large Pouches
Bandoliers are larger beaded carry ons often made by women and gifted to men who were warriors to carry over their shoulders. Larger sacred bundles have no greater significance, it only represents that the individual that carries it finds numerous items significant to themselves.

Items
Numerous items can be carried in each bundle that posses different spiritual value. Smaller and larger bundles contain plants, objects derived from animals, minerals, and personal items. These are generalized objects that exist within the bundle as elders refrain from photographing or exposing the contents of them as each one is personally made.

Vegetation
Plants such as tabacco, leaves, and flowers.

Animals
Pelts, fur, and bones

Minerals
stone, flint, sand

Personal Items
currency, picture, favorite item, or inherited item

Modern Practice
Many people outside of Native American tribes have created their own adaption of forming sacred bundles. It has been encouraged that if an individual seeks guidance, health, or love they can tailor their own medicine bag to best grant them their wishes.