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Dreamcatcher Significance
The first recorded dreamcatcher was in the early 1900s, but they had a very specific purpose that slowly lost its true meaning over time. They were a symbol of protection over offspring and caught all the negative thoughts while passing on the good dreams through the night. The bad thoughts would burn up as they came in contact with the sunlight. -
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The Importance of the Materials Used
Original dreamcatchers have specific and sacred objects that were used to make them. Materials include feathers hanging that would act as a ladder for the good dreams as well as beads. Some common materials include willow, nettle, and sinew. Dreamcatchers were often only 3 1/2 inches wide and were usually placed in spaces where people, often children, would sleep.
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dreamcatcher -
First Dreamcatcher Recorded
While the exact date of the first dreamcatcher is unknown, the first one is believed to be documented in 1929 among the Ojibwe. They were originally made for people of the Lakota and Ojibwe tribe and eventually spread to many other tribes as far North as Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota.
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dreamcatcher#Popularization -
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Time Period When Dreamcatcher was Extra Important
During this time many Native American tribes made these popular to show unity during the pan-Indian movement of the 1960s and 70s
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dreamcatcher -
Popularization of the Dreamcatcher
It used to be an important part of the Native American culture, but was quickly adopted by mainstream society and integrated into the everyday life of some people, without acknowledging the original meaning. Most of the time they are made with cheap materials and oversized as a mere decoration, which many Native Americans now find offensive and think are part of cultural appropriation.
Below is an example of how dreamcatchers lost their meaning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4qh8BkT3JE -
Dreamcatchers Today
Instead of authentic dreamcatchers being popular, it is now difficult to find an original made by someone part of a Native American tribe. The simple beauty attracted people to it, and the history didn't matter because people just wanted the accessory. Americanization of cultures is an issue that is very clearly seen, especially with the Native American tribe and their sacred object. Mass media did not help as it made it easier to promote and share these "new" objects to the rest of society.
