Coiled Basketry of the Sierra Miwok: A Study of Regional Variation (San Diego Museum Papers)

Despite the disruption and near total destruction of the native lifestyle, basketry survived in almost every locality. The need for baskets in preparing native foodstuffs - an important part of the elderly Miwok people's diet into the 1930s - and the ready sale of baskets to non-Indians appear to be major factors in the survival of basket making skills. In the early years of the 20th century found a ready market and often were made on special order for Anglo patrons. Subsequently, in an effort to "forget about" being Indian, relatively few young women learned to weave baskets. Conversations with Miwok elders today indicate that few, if any, young women learned to weave after 1930.