One day her grandson wanted to kill the spider, but the grandmother would not allow him to hurt it. The second story is of a grandmother who everyday watched a spider spin its web above her bed. Women were, therefore, tasked with making the webs with protective charms to guard infants by capturing any harm surrounding the child. The first is that Asibikaashi, a spider woman and custodian of the Ojibwe, was unable to continue alone to protect all the tribe members when they began to migrate across North America. Two stories exist as to the origin of their dreamcatchers. The Ojibwe believe that they are guided through life by the spirits, also, that every object has a spirit and that nights are filled with dreams that are caught by the dreamcatchers. Ojibwe elders have passed down their stories, traditions, songs, memories, etc, in oral form or depicted on ancient birch bark scrolls many of which are preserved by their Midewiwin (Grand Medicine Society) run by spiritual advisors and healers. The Portuguese call dreamcatchers ‘espanta espíritos’ (scares spirits) to chase away bad energies. However, now that I have read about their origins, I appreciate that they are more than just a pretty decorative item.ĭid you know that dreamcatchers originated in the Native American Ojibwe tribe who call them ‘asabiskeshiinh’, which means spider web? The tribe’s history, traditions and culture are fascinating, full of spiritual beliefs, sacred objects and ceremonies. What is strange is that I have never owned a dreamcatcher before nor had any interest in them. Consequently, I did nothing else that week! Commemorating our wedding Both are full of personal symbolism, and I enjoyed the craftwork so much that I set up a permanent craft desk in the lounge, planning to make them for my family and friends. Ideas flowed and I then made another larger hoop to hold our wedding vows. Totally engrossed, I spent the next three days working on my elaborate anniversary gift adding the same ribbons, charms, flowers and butterflies of our wedding. I was suddenly in paradise and spent hours choosing from the huge selection of beads, ribbons, threads and wool available for craftwork. I researched internet pictures and then enthusiastically went to buy my supplies. Our fifth anniversary was imminent and, out of the blue, I decided to make another chord into a celebratory dreamcatcher. On my first morning, whilst trying to decide which job to tackle, I was admiring our handfasting chord, hanging on the bedroom wall, which I made for our wedding. I recently took a long overdue week’s holiday to catch up on some DIY and household chores.

Where did dream catchers originate from