Hupa Cradleboard

Members of the Hupa (pronounced Hoopa) tribe create a cradleboard that is shaped like a slipper with the lower end of the cradle enclosed like the toe of a slipper. It is woven of hazel rods twined together with elements of root fiber. The seat of the cradle is at the lower, broader wedged end and contains a pocket that is often filled with absorbent material and fragrant herbs. A bowl-shaped sunshade of openwork basketry is attached to the upper portion to protect the baby's face from sun and flies.
Objects meant to entertain the baby, including tiny baskets and feathers are suspended from the hoop. Additional cradle padding would include pounded or shredded fibrous or inner bark or the skin of a fawn filled with moss. While still small, a Hupa baby spent most of his or her time in the cradle; as the child matured, he or she was placed there only to sleep or travel until about three years of age
Hupa tradition dictated the maternal grandmother would make the cradleboard. For 10 days she and the child remained in the birthing lodge as the mother sat or lay over a pit where heated rocks were covered with wet sand. It was thought the steam assisted in healing any injuries. If the child was a boy, the mother was obliged to eat alone for 40 days and was forbidden to eat meat and fresh fish. For a baby girl, the term of isolation was 50 days.
Cradle in Hupa language: xe q'ay

Front-facing view of the cradle.