It is in the Ojibwa Nation that a dream catcher originated. The Native Americans and a number of different nations adopted it during the Pan-Indian movement that took place in the 1960’s. The name was derived from the Ojibwe word asabikeshiinh which means ‘dream snare’. It is a handcrafted object that is usually made of willow hoop and sinew thread. The thread is woven into a web-like net and is decorated with colorful beads and feathers. There are different beliefs about the dream catcher. Some would refer to it as a symbol of unity for the Indian Nations, while others deem it as an over-commercialized object because dream catchers for sale can be found anywhere. But for the Native Americans, it is a general symbol of identification and a protective charm against bad dreams.
According to researches done by ethnographers, the Native Americans are fond of hanging dream catchers on top of a cradle board to protect their infants from having nightmares. The traditional design for it is a web-like net that is usually dyed in red. It is meant to look like this because the people believe that it will catch any harm that is present in the night air, just like a spider’s web catches an insect that comes in contact with it. It also has eight points that represents the legs of the spider. The tribe’s people consider spiders as a symbolic creature of creative energy, wisdom and learning.
The people from the Ojibwa Nations created their handmade dream catchers by tying sinew strands in a web around a tear-shaped or round willow. Up until this very day, the same materials are used in making them. Although the thread used to make the web may vary because it is very difficult to find sinew thread nowadays. The materials are not durable and they tend to dry out, that’s why there is a need to replace them from time to time. Since these materials are very affordable and readily available, anyone can make their own. However, for people who are looking to buy dream catchers that are authentic and Native American made, they can find one at a local Indian reservation in the United States or Canada.
This charm is already a part of the Native American tradition. They refer to it as a symbolic web that will protect a person from having bad dreams. They say that it will filter through the good dreams and slide them through the feathers towards the sleeper. The bad ones will remain trapped on the net and will disappear as the sun rises in the morning. On the contrary, one tribe believes that it is the good ones that remain on the net to be a part of life. The bad ones go through the hole in the middle but do not bother the sleeper. Either way, they still deem it as a protective charm that cleanses the air from bad energy.
Furthermore, dream catchers are also believed to strengthen ones faith in the Great Spirit. If a person has strong faith in the Great Spirit, the charm will not only hold good dreams but also good visions and ideas. They said that it can help a person achieve important goals and ideals as it will open many great opportunities. Thus, they are not only used as a protective charm against bad dreams but also totems that can neutralize negative energy. Nowadays, people use them not only for the said purposes but as decorative object as well. They are hung almost everywhere – from bedroom to outdoor patio.
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