TRADITIONAL TYPES OF BASKET CAPS
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Among the Karuk and possibly other tribes, basket materials were considered special in origin through association with spirits who gave themselves up and became weaving materials. See
the Karuk story "Kingfisher Snitches Food," in which kingfisher’s wife and children become basket materials and will be honored when woven into caps and danced at ceremonies. Caps of
acorns are also associated with the traditional basket cap shape as "The Acorn Maiden" story confirms. Plants used for basketweaving could also be associated with certain animals. Some
basket plants were cared for in special ways to insure their suitability for weaving materials through burning and pruning. In any case, basket materials were traditionally treated with respect
and prayers were said before gathering them.
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