Bear One Another's Burdens

Antique Navajo Blanket and Beaded Burden Basket Mounted on Reclaimed Wood Cross, Beaded Trim, Turquoise Crosses, Waxed Linen Thread, Nepalese Paper, Ethiopian Coptic Stitching
21"W X 28"H X 6"D

The small handwoven beaded Apache Burden Basket used in this piece is representative of the large Burden Baskets used for centuries by indigenous Native American women to carry wood and food. When not in use, the Burden Basket was hung outside of the home to serve another purpose. Before entering the home, all burdens were to be placed in the Burden Basket outside. Meaning, leave your complaints and problems outside, please. It is not polite to bring those troubles into the Sacred Space of the family you are visiting. Burden baskets are also an integral part of Apache history being used in their rituals and ceremonies. According to Apache tradition, burden baskets are always cone shaped, with a flat or rounded bottom. This beautiful basket has strips of leather buckskin with metal cone jingles hanging from the top and bottom of the basket. Buckskin and tin jingles were added to enhance the basket. And, as the baskets were carried through the day while working the tin cones would jingle to scare away snakes and wild animals that may be nearby.

The Cross from which the Burden Basket hangs is representative of the command of Christ followers in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This precept calls Christians to sympathize with, show compassion for, and assist each other in our weaknesses and trials, similar to how travelers who, when fatigued from being too heavily laden with their baggage, relieve one another of their load. The phrase, “and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” refers to Christ’s new commandment to love one another found in John 13:34: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”