Zunis and other Indigenous societies were farmers growing corn as a sustenance crop. Still planted and harvested today, corn is called The Mother because it’s cultivated from Mother Earth. The traditional way corn is used acknowledges it as a gift and blessing from the Creator. Many Pueblo cultures give Corn Dances. It’s offered to metaphorically feed animal carvings in thankfulness for their traits in nature. Cornmeal or corn pollen is usually carried in a small leather pouch. When natural resources like game animals, irrigation water and clay are used, a prayer and a sprinkling of cornmeal are given in gratitude. Zuni Pueblo jeweler Tracey Bowekaty's corn honoring necklace and earrings set is handmade from sterling silver, carved orange and purple spiny oyster shells, gold lip shell, iridescent mother-of-pearl, jet and turquoise. The earrings for pierced ears are about 3/4" long and 1/2" wide. The colorful necklace is approximately 20" long, while each corn station is roughly 1" long and 3/4" wide. Signed by the artist.
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