Bone chokers originally were made from bird legs. They were seldom used as just ornamentation. They were used as physical protection for the throat from a possible knife attack. The jugular vein is in the neck and is lethal if cut. They were also used in conjunction with physical protection as a spiritual protection for the voice. Because most birds are noted for the sounds they make or for their singing quality. The spirit of the bird could be invoked to protect the person's voice from ailments, jealousy or fatigue. There is also a cultural saying for men - "You become a man when you can speak your heart to the population - clearly and without fear - honor, bravery and victory are yours." The bird was not all the time killed to make the chokers. Most often they were found after a predatory animal had already killed them or they had died a natural death. This was carefully a good sign when found. Not only for the population who needed the chokers but for the bird, so it's life would be of honor, value and service. In all instances every part of every animal was used. Nothing was thrown away. This is done out of respect for the sacrifice the animal made and to honor it's life.
In some cases, the leg bone of a definite bird was needed. Prayers were made to the bird (usually an eagle, hawk or owl). The hunter would fast and pray sometimes for days on end. He would wait until the bird came to him. A typical story of this sort of thing, is the bird came to the hunter and landed right in from of him and sat without inspiring until the hunter took it's life. They say that while the bird sits in front of the hunter. They converse with their hearts. The bird has to willingly and happily give it's life for the purpose needed or the hunter will not kill it. Among the people, giving of life so that others may live is the extreme ending to our existence on the earth. Bone chokers made from the bones of bird's legs were practical. They already had a hole through the center where the marrow was. They were already cylindrical and only a microscopic smoothing and shaping was needed. The leg bones were cleaned and smoothed and shaped by boiling them until softened. Flint was used to trim any irregularities and a flat stone was used to shine and flat the surface. Beads were smaller bones which had been sliced or cut. These bones were sometimes colored with a range of minerals, most coarse was red earth (vermillion). The red earth was mixed with fat and then rubbed repeatedly over the bone while the bone was still soft from boiling. To keep the color they were normally rubbed with fat to create a shiny coating. This also kept the bones from becoming brittle.
Real sinew from the leg of a deer or buffalo was used to thread the bones and beads. Deer or buffalo sinew was chosen because the strips of sinew were longer than other animals. Before needles a bone awl was used to punch holes in the hide spacers for threading the sinew. Each bone choker had very extra and personal meaning for the wearer. Many times they were dreamed prior to their making. It was seldom that the wearer would make their own choker. There were definite population in the tribe that did this. Many times they were assistants to a medicine someone or a medicine someone themselves. On the opening that the wearer made their own choker it was normally because they dreamed it this way. Although, much help and aid was given to the dreamer while development the choker.
Today it is much the same. You can see all kinds of chokers with symbols and definite colors for the wearer. Wolf, bear and eagle are very common. Purchasing a choker from isn't any separate from the original way of compensation. Which would be contribute the maker with a blanket, a horse, food, etc. Any thing that is requisite to declare life was appropriate payment. So, today we have money.
As a someone who makes these chokers, I consider it a great honor when someone purchases mine. Prays are made before I even touch one of the materials that go into a choker. Then songs are sung and more prayers are made for the well-being of the wearer as the choker is assembled. Choices in color and symbols come from deep prayer. As if I already know the soon to be owner. Interestingly, as soon as I cease one, an inquiry comes or a purchase occurs.
