Providing Western Art Since 1979

The Arrow Maker was a key figure in tribal life. In him was vested the mystery and power to give strength and accuracy to the weapons used by hunters and warriors. Upon the shafts and points that passed through his hands, the safety and sustenance of the tribe depended. His work was an enclosure in which he placed himself, chanting entreaties to the Great Spirit to make his hand and eye sure and blessed.

Ed. note. Most scholars agree that arrows were more difficult to make than bows. Arrows had 3 components - the shaft, the feathers and the point. Arrows were generally made from ash, birch, cane, dogwood, willow and cherry tree saplings. The shafts had identifying marks on them to help settle any hunting disputes.

In the old days, arrowheads were made from flint, obsidian, and other varieties of stone, as well as of sinew, horn, bone, shell, wood and copper. Later, traders introduced the sheet iron arrow point. Arrowheads made of turtle, bear and panther claws were supposed to strike the enemy with magic power.

The arrow was feathered with two or three trimmed feathers of not only the eagle, owl and hawk, but other birds as well. These were glued and bound in place with sinew. The glue used was made from the shell of a soft-shell turtle, deer hoofs or chippings from rawhide. Between the points where the feathers were fastened were painted bands of color, generally black and red. These were the colors for night and day and were a symbol of precision.

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