Etowah’s River Cane

Etowah’s River Cane. . Early explorers to the Southeast described vast stands of Arundinaria or river cane. Called canebrakes, these stands were especially common in river lowlands and often covered thousands of hectares (2.471 acres per hectare). Canebreaks provided habitats for all types of game. Additionally, Native Americans used the cane for various purposes, such as arrow shafts, basket and mat weaving, blow guns, pipe stems, and shelter construction., However, with the arrival of white settlers, canebreaks quickly disappeared into agricultural lands. Farmers used this rich bottom land for planting corn and cotton. Today, river cane is being reestablished along rivers in parks, forest lands, and national wildlife areas., (captions) , These two Cherokee Indian baskets, woven of river cane, illustrate two of the various shapes and weaves that were made. As the cane dried, it often took on different colors based on soil and summer heat. Indian weavers also dyed cane strips., Today's Native American artisans still make cane flutes, blow pipes, pipe stems, and arrows. Following the traditions of their tribe, some decorate their wares with carvings, while others use bird feathers.