Hello brother ,I'm Cherokee creek ,I make bows and I've shared my knowledge of the art with several other,natives and non natives ,we must keep this alive ,
Im from Western Australia and I have it on my heart to start learning to make bows. There is no one here to teach me. I would be honoured to meet someone like you! A beautiful Craft to learn. 🏹
As a Cherokee this makes me so happy. I’m going to find this man so I can meet him and shake his hand. He’s such a positive influence for the Cherokee people and I wish more Cherokee people were like him. Love this guy
That's why I like the Cherokee people because you will probably do what you said you would do and that's meet this fellow Cherokee brother. Im not a Cherokee but if I was I would be proud.
I like this bloke too. I hope that he can instill the pride of being Cherokee in the young people of today. I think that it's important that you don't lose the knowledge n language of your forefathers.
My uncle is a Ute elder. He made a traditional snake bow for me. The staves are not straight but slightly curved like the body of a snake. As long as the 2 tips and grip line up it will shoot straight. It is made of yew wood and backed with elk sinew glued on with hide glue which is then covered with rattlesnake skin. No iron touched this bow. It was sanded down with sandstone to the same growth ring which prevents splintering. The grip is brain tanned deer hide which has also been smoked. The string is made of twisted elk sinew. This is a masterpiece of traditional bow making. Give me a holler, I'll send you some pictures.
Lose what? That bow is a European design, not Cherokee. Native Americans didn't use draw knives. They had stone tools until Europeans arrived. It's still awesome that he makes them though.
Unfortunately it's not just the Cherokee heritage that is being lost. It's also many other cultures that make up America. Too many young ones in all cultures don't want to learn anything about their heritage. It's a shame.
Part of what makes a people's ways worthwhile is the knack of getting young ones interested. We were all young once, when it's our turn if we fail then that's it. Your kid's taken by the current, hope the river bends in a nice direction because your chance to teach them to steer is passed.
You are correct I myself am not native American but I hang out with a lot of them and I see traditions dying heck the reason that elders like me is cause I know more about traditions than natives
Me: I wonder what’s on my RU-vid recommend today. RU-vid: How about some Cherokee bowmaking? Me again: Okay. Me after video: Thank you Mr. Richard Fields and all the Cherokee still keep the tradition strong!
@@trivellekoolaidrian6921 What's more important is they are keeping their culture alive with being craftsman and the women are so talented too. I'm amazed how much they know about how to survive off the land. Some Natives would disagree with your calling them Indians which is what white people called them. They didn't take the time or courtesy to understand they come from tribes with different dialects and traditions. Most identify by their ancestors ...for example: in South Dakota there were bands of Natives like Sicangu (burnt thigh) in Lakota. I love the culture and visited them and will again someday.
Trivelle Koolaidrian you’re wrong. Aboriginal or Native is preferred. Indian has some historically infused racial undertones but go ahead and call one an Indian. I’m sure a lot don’t mind and may not tell you but you will get a surprised look. Just saying.
Why should a Californian learn about the Cherokee? I mean there is nothing wrong with them learning about them but the Cherokee weren’t the only tribe and the Cherokee’s are from the southeast US. Roughly northern Georgia.
I am half cherokee and my mom is full blooded. I have been slowly learning about making things like this. Atlatls and darts and i want to build a bow. Maybe this was the motivation i needed. A fellow native american making it happen and making our ancestors proud. Awesome vid. 🙂
Siyo Richard keep up the good work. I live in cherokee nc on the reservation and I make the traditional river cane arrows also knives and tomahawks. You do great work thanks for sharing.
I love it. It reminds me of those trips I took with my grandparents to Cherokee North Carolina and Maggie Valley. The handmade arrows sticking out what are the most nostalgic thing I seen in this video and I have made a few bows myself
Perhaps some people where disapointed because from the title they expected something more traditional, not a guy using a draw knife or a chainsaw. What he says at 3:05 to 3:20 may have put some people of too.
hello from the Saginaw Chippwea Indian tribe of Michigan! u should be proud of the heritage u keep alive! our tribal culture's only stay alive if we pass them on to the younger generations!
First of all, I love this guy's character. I also love how this guy has picked out one part of his ancestors culture and perfected it. I have done the same thing for my people. I make atlatls and traditional spears of all kinds and it makes me proud to be aleut. Another thing that I'd like to point out is that everything he says is true, native people don't linger in the past we only learn from the past. We can't change the past, so we loom foward to the future and try to make it better. I personally don't want the government to help we can do ot ourselves.
Much respect watching your video also reading the comments lots of talent out there I say keep it up teach the youngsters how twos can’t lose this tradition it’s in the blood and it’s tradition you want to eat back then make a bow just like today. subscribe to your channel really appreciate the righteous comments here thank you for teaching us your ways. from myself Yaqui Indian Spaniard and Italian.
All Natives in this country deserve way way more than they have received. It's pathetic the way this country has treated the many groups of Native people. This country should be ashamed.
A lot of us do...my tribe's from North Carolina. We all do, unless you're like me and lost the accent for broadcasting. Like most Americans, we sound like the region from which we come. Not sure why that's so amazing to some people.
Respect. So many arts of the “old days” are disappearing and in many cases, modern materials and methods just cannot recreate the beauty and form of something handmade from raw, nature given materials. I admire those that live in modern times but revere and preserve the “old ways”.
I love a man that has his heart in his work. Good for you sir, to make them from your heart, not from somebody else's idea of what it should be. It's just amazing to watch how you go about the craft. It's also wonderful to see a proud American keep the old craft of bow making alive and well.
My mother took a DNA test, and got like 3% Native American. We didn’t get why at first. Because she’s Russian, from Russia, we thought it would be 75% Russian Slavic, and 25% Ashkenazi Jewish. However, she got 65% Slavic. 25% Ashkenazi Jewish, 7% Scandinavian/Finnish, and 3% Native American. I guess the DNA test could not tell the difference between Siberian’s and Native Americans.
Love to the all Native people in The Americas, I wish I knew how you call yourselves as people in your language but nonetheless we love from Algeria 🇩🇿
The 5:35 that I just involved myself watching this posting was hugely beneficial. Currently I have a draw- knife of decent quality that has been barely used & what I do know is a lot of effort is needed to remove stock. Hugely enjoyed this no B.S. presentation.
I’m half Sioux and I totally agree with what you’re saying. My grandfather was full blooded and helped raised me growing up becuase my parents worked 9-5( nothing wrong with that) I just spent most of the time with my grandfather when they weren’t around. We would always make bows, arrows, and slings, from oak and yucca plant since we lived in the mountains. He showed me how to do it the old fashioned way- axe and widling knife. It truly is a lost art and once it’s gone it’s gone, seeing u make wood into working pieces of art reminds me of my grandfather and how much value and fun it was. Thank you 🙏🏻
This man is family IF you have Facebook you can follow our clothing line Full Blood Clothing you will see more of Richard there as well, Your Welcome. Go Like an Share....
I'm not Cherokee, I'm Mexican/American, but I'm a hunter and love tradition. Your bows are works of art. I would consider it an honor to learn to make a traditional bow, under you.
And?? Being influenced by tradition an Heritage AND keeping it alive is all that really matters. Don't forget man as a Mexican your ancestors was Native American. If you want to embrace it then do so! That is your decision.
@blllllllllllllllllllrlrlrl7059 There was alot of mixture in bloodlines throughout the many years of existence so its possible but not definite. The Native American was just that, hence the word NATIVES. The Mexican heritage traces back to the ancient Aztec and Mayans, down to Spanish descendants of mostly European and African. So like I said it's different mixtures. But all of the heritage traces back to the "rock dwellers" the culture and ect. Even all the food mostly. There ancient culture are the ones who learned how to smash corn to make tortillas. To make mud brick homes same as the Mexican descendants did in Mexico hundreds of years ago. But those ancient cultures of Natives was neighbors to the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. They had many similarities but every Tribe differs a little. But hunting and Tradition was important in all of them and that's what matters most. I believe this to be important for all of us to hold on to! Whether Asian, European or ect. Culture and Traditions are a beautiful thing that's being lost every passing year. These new generations don't care about it. It's sad.
People disliked this video because he likes wearing that hat & they are outraged & triggered! Lol bet- Cool guy, trades are important especially keeping the old ways alive
@@chechnya that's white American thinking and I'm white ... Progress mean beneficial as a whole. No one in this country is working together anymore . your refering to technological advancement. But thats more or less just pure laziness. I dont judge you or what you know. I think we need to be careful how we view and label things these days. If I had the money and knew I could learn from aboriginals I would. When was the last time you baked a cake from scratch ? The results when Excuted correctly are very rewarding. You did it all. No box no label no instructions.. I think that's all he's trying to get at. Know it (your tradition) so well it will carry on throughout the ages. That's what it was all about. Dont let my comment draw anything away from what you said. I promise I'm not trying to pick on you I just see many different views. Thank you for letting me share. If not I hope you have a marvelous life !
Your bow making skills are fantastic , I made my first one out of Osage orange, I learned from my mistakes, I cut it the wrong time of year, by the time I had it shaped the ends were splitting, but I agree with u on the serenity of bow carving, just u and nature. Great video, keep your traditions strong and pass them on. Stay Blessed.
I would love to be your apprentice. I wish I could live in that area and even though I am 13 I an some what of an old sole and I do everything I can to preserve the old ways.
This is a great video. I even subscribed to your channel. I have one question. What would he charge for one of those bows? My stepson would love one of those!
I love your work. I am a Comanche bowyer, on a crude level. I feel your convictions on the study of language. My Elders are dying, I feel like I must fight to help preserve and expand the Comanche language. Just like my Huutsi taught me.
So, was I sent to this video because Big Brother has seen me with my ZZTOP t-shirt?...or because I know where to find native Osage Orange in New Jersey???🤔
Samuel Luria big brother says don’t worry about it....lol. Same here. Huge fan of ZZ Top (play their music on guitar and their videos) and bow hunter...lol
I'm surprised you can find any out there in New Jersey given that it's native to the Red River, plus the main thing is that Osage Orange was primarily used after being sent to what became Oklahoma. Before that, the wood of choice was and still often is used as "second-best" is black locust. Third-best was well-seasoned mockernut hickory. Both of those grow from Maine to Missouri. Those get used at the living history museums in both Park Hill, Oklahoma and Cherokee, North Carolina just outside of Asheville for historical accuracy purposes along with their Brown Bess musket, river cane blowgun, and "mound builder" atlatl demonstrations. You can have even more wood, now. Plus we're also talking about one of the greatest bands of all time and would give a nut for one of those shirts.
^Mountain cedar/juniper or Mexican redberry? The former which grows all over Texas and other parts of the Southwest (even some grow further north in the Ozarks alongside the more common red cedars) make great bows and were highly prized by the Lipan, Caddo, and the Karankawa. I get what you're talking about since it does tend to be pretty knotted and it's pretty rare to find a good piece. Rocky Mountain and common juniper are much better bow woods due to being easier to work and having a better grain.
Talented craftsmen used to make things with their hands, now everything is made by machines. I love that there are still people like this man who make things with their hands.
This is art in its truest form. Let machines make devices for daily living and let us make art for ourselves and others in all our free time. This is what humans should be doing more of.
@@janbernad4729 All of the hand made things that I have made. Beds, dressers, entertainment centers, book cases, kitchen cabinets, and especially guitars are in my home.
Richard, you are a deep thinker and a righteous man. To carry on one's traditional ways is both an honor and a gift. I think you have learned much about yourself by pursuing your heritage. You said you were not "patient" enough to be a bowyer, but you learned you are. You have learned many other things about yourself as well. Good luck to you. I love your ZZ shirt.
6 лет назад
the man's doing important work, and i don't just mean bow making.
I've made a few bows out of hickory and red elm. I didn't use any power tools. It's fun but it's a lot of work. I backed one bow with rawhide and used unflavored gelatin as glue. Man that stuff was tough to cut. That part I had to use the bench grinder.
ALL our 1st nations peoples across North America are like the canaries in the mines. If they die ... we all die. So beautiful to see this honourable human illuminating a small part of the path home. Thank you sir.
Kiaora, greetings from New Zealand. It's wonderful to hear the history of our indigenous peoples in relation to our artists as is today. I myself am involved in traditional clothing, such as weaving. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Richard, for making this video and sharing your knowledge with us. These are skills many of us would like to experience and learn, knowledge that is being lost such as the native languages of the early nations. I live in new mexico and study the arts of surrounding tribes such as the apache and navajo. Flint knapping is one art i would be interested in learning also the art of arrow shaft and feather fletching. Thank you again for your shared knowledge.
A great video of a man who truly knows his craft and has skills and knowledge that if lost will be extremely hard if not impossible to get back, I always respect somebody who has these traditional skills no matter what culture they come from as many of these skills are slowly disappearing especially those that are Labour intensive, If you have a particular traditional skill or set of skills then please do pass them on before they are lost forever, Blessings to all.
shannonandsheila1 Ok make 9ne and let us all review it I'm sure you know all about fletching and making Arrow heads too, Bearing in mind that your statement of "Stoneage man figured it out" it took them at least a couple if generations of trial and error to perfect it so they did all the ground work for you didn't they, So I shall wait with much anticipation to see your Bow and how it measures up to the one in the Video I'm sure your one will be fantastic! So come on what are you waiting for? After all how hard can it be?.
Love this. I’m not a Cherokee but I have a profound respect for the principle people. Respect this art. Thanks for sharing. I don’t always remember just the trail. Wado
Im a Cherokee well or a Seneca not quite sure but between those is my best guess as my grandma's family was from a Oklahoma res it didn't specify and my other grandma's Makaw so in all I'm like 43% and i do bowyering woodworking and blacksmithing and it's always great to get with nature and tradition its a healing for the soul Good journey my friend
My grandmother would tell me stories of how our people (Cherokee) lived. She taught me to build a fire with flint and how to trap and live off the land. When I went to SERE School back in the 1980s my instructors asked how I knew so much. I told them my Granny taught me, they laughed. Thank you for making this video.
Do you have personal experience with the fruits keeping spiders away? And if so, where they being kept out of a house, off of your person, or out of a garden? Sorry, just want to learn. Thanks😉
Ahhhh, okay. So just the whole fruits, and not crushed up, or cooked in hot water etc.. thank you!!! Ironically, I lived for a couple years in a highly infested old farmhouse...and I happened to keep a bunch of Osage Oranges on my little table on the porch. If I had know this, I would have spread them all around different rooms...😂
I have to say i love what you do and your final words brought tears to my eyes I so wish I knew my native tongue, it feels like I'm missing a part of myself I cannot find a teacher in my area; but I love what your doing and have my respect brother my name is Alequa (alaqua, sweet gum tree) I hope I too can make bows as you do I've always been fascinated since I was around 10 or so trying to make bows I've been searching for what I want to do and you have inspired me to take this further thank you. I do have some problems getting the limbs to bow in the same place and evenly when I make a bow what would you recommend. You also have my sub
Um the norse weren't scared out of North America. They had steel swords and steel maille armour when the natives had stone arrows and weapons. In reality the journey wasn't feasible to colonize it properly. The ship technology just wasn't there until a few centuries later.
Eccentric Detectorist's , THATS funny! Maybe the plains indians too. Deadly warriors who could ride a horse full gallop & shoot a bow from under the horses neck w accuracy.
