A Sneak Peek of the 2021 Designs by Mahota Textiles
With designs created right here in Oklahoma featuring Southeastern Tribal designs rich in Chickasaw history and culture, every Mahota Textiles product tells a story.
We loved hearing from a Colorado customer that she purchased our Sweetgrass blanket because of her daughter’s passion for farming and their love for the book, “Braiding Sweetgrass.” We frequently hear our clients connect to the stories, history, and culture found in our blankets.
Each year, we launch three new designs into our product line, and today we want to share the stories of our 2021 designs with you.
The “Brothers’ Loss and Renewal” Design by Dustin Illetewahke Mater
We are thrilled to feature Dustin Illetewahke Mater as our guest designer in 2021. Dustin is a renowned Chickasaw artist and graphic designer who has been featured in many native art shows, museums, and exhibits.
Dustin shared the inspiration for his “Brothers’ Loss and Renewal” design with us: “While thinking of the struggles of our ancestors and what they went through during the time of the great migration, first contact, and the forced removal of the Chickasaw homelands, it was in those great moments of struggle we found kinship and strength in each other and in moving forward. Now, during this time of today’s great struggles, we have an opportunity to find those comforting paths as our ancestors did.”
Interested in learning more about Dustin Mater? Click here to read more.
“Okcha (Life)” by Taloa Underwood
In the Chickasaw language, "okcha" means "life" and highlights the importance of water and sun in our lives. Without them, we would not have the necessities we need to survive. Southeastern Chickasaws always lived on bluffs alongside rivers and were often referred to as “river people” because we always built our villages along rivers or other waterways.
River cane also grew along rivers and was used to make tools, baskets, musical instruments, and more. Rivers also made it possible to travel and trade supplies with neighboring tribes. Taloa’s “Okcha (Life)” design pays homage to how the river helped us live.
"For the Creator" by Taloa Underwood
The stomp dance is a traditional celebration dance, and the fire’s center is the embodiment of our Creator, Aba' Bínni'li’. During the stomp dance, a designated person ensures the fire always stays burning, and no one else is allowed to put anything into the fire.
During the ceremony, Chickasaw men lead a counter-clockwise dance that keeps their hearts closest to the fire while singing a call and response technique. Women behind the singer wear turtle shells or deer toes around their calves/ankles and shake to the rhythm for the singer. The song is their prayer, and smoke from the fire lifts the prayers to the Creator to give thanks. Reasons for these celebrations may be a good harvest or for bringing warriors back safely after a battle. Taloa’s “For the Creator” design honors the stomp dance that gives thanks to our Creator.
Mahota Textiles Make Perfect Gifts
Blankets are meaningful gifts in the Chickasaw culture and are draped around the shoulders of the recipient when presented. Each blanket is accompanied by the name, design, and story that connects them. A special poem written by Mahota descendent and Chickasaw poet, Rebecca Hatcher Travis, is another special feature added to blanket presentation.
The Chickasaw Map Blanket is often gifted to graduates because of the history found in its story. Men will also often purchase purses or tote bags for their wives and buy a lumbar pillow for themselves while they are shopping.
Our Showroom is a Showcase for the Seasons
Seasons are meaningful in our culture, so we always decorate our showroom and front window for the four seasons. Our showroom always features unique handcrafted furniture from local artisans, and it changes with the seasons too.
We love seeing the beautiful pop of color the blanket provides when laid over a neutral sofa. Another simple display method is to hang a blanket on a wooden pole as a tapestry. Styling our blankets on tribal members in traditional poses has also been an impactful way to showcase their beauty.
Though the design is the same on both sides of our blankets, the colors are reversed. One customer fell in love with what we consider the back, but to her, it was the front. Part of the beauty of art is that it is seen differently by each person, so we always showcase our products in various ways.
We are so excited about the upcoming release of our 2021 products. When they are available, you will be able to buy them right here!