Washington D.C. through my eyes (XX)

The National Museum of American Indian had this changing exhibition called Identity by Design - tradition, change and celebration in native women's dresses. I love colour, patterns and materials so this exhibition was a perfect fit for me.

Such exhibitions reaffirm my wonder in the creative ability of mankind, and my belief in the existence of God who created us in such a wonderful and beautiful manner, with tenderness and love.

These carriers (above) are used by native American women to carry their kids when they are doing their house chores or working at home. Our docent told us that these carriers were still being used even today in the various tribes. He also explained that because the carriers had a flat back, those who were carried in them grew up with their backs of their heads being also flat. He said he was one of them. In Singapore, these carriers would be equivalent to the sarong beds suspended in air that we slept in while we were young. These exquisite carriers are all hand-made.

The dresses below are examples of the traditional dresses worn by native Americans. Our docent (I forgot his name) said that many of the most beautiful dresses are not on display because when native American women die, they are buried in their most beautiful traditional dresses.

The dress above is worth a mention because it's actually a contemporary dress made by Dora Old Elk from the Assiniboine tribe in Montana, who happens to be a good friend of the docent. I like the colours.