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Sheaths can create a sort of fiber veneer -- a thin layer of fine material that transforms the common material beneath it. In our language the word sheath has many connotations. Think of sheath dresses, to sheathe a weapon, the sheathing on a house. But my fascination with looped sheaths was first sparked by my interest in gourd vessels.
Gourds have been used by every known culture in temperate and tropic climates, and are thought to be one of the first plants our ancient ancestors cultivated. These strong, lightweight containers are still important among people who carry their worldly possessions or trade goods from place to place. A sheath gives you something to which you can attach a handle or strap, which lets you carry more (or carry more securely). And what could be more secure than looping? If you break a thread in looping it won't unravel.
There are more observations about material goods in nomadic cultures on my Fuegian Coiling page. But before you go there, I hope you'll read about netting, a knotted form of looping that has been used to create sheaths in many cultures. Think of the netting sheaths used to cover glass floats, because how else do you attach the float to a fishing net? Before glass, those floats would have been gourds. See how this is all connected?
Learn About Netting -- Click here to learn about fishing nets and the story of civilization.
Learn About Fuegian Coiling -- Click here to learn about looping over a core element.
Looping Workshop Topics
Lecture Topics
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