Crystal clear Handbag Coverage

Carrying Things Clearly: Bags, Baskets and Visible Containers in Southwest Tradition

The phrase "crystal clear handbag" sounds thoroughly modern, and in one sense it is. Transparent bags are now a familiar sight at stadiums, concert halls and other large venues, where clear carry policies let staff see contents at a glance. Yet the idea behind them, a container whose purpose and contents are openly legible, connects to much older ways of carrying things across the Southwest.

Long before vinyl or acrylic, people in this region made containers that announced what they were for. Coiled and twined baskets were shaped according to their tasks: wide, shallow forms for winnowing seeds, tall burden baskets for gathering, tightly woven vessels that could hold water once sealed with pitch. Anyone familiar with the forms could read a basket's function from its shape. Pottery worked the same way, with storage jars, cooking pots and serving bowls each taking their own proportions. Carrying was never purely private. It was part of a shared visual language.

Pouches, bundles and what stays hidden

Not every container was meant to be seen into. Many communities kept certain bundles and pouches deliberately closed, and the contents of ceremonial objects were, and remain, matters of protocol rather than public display. This is worth keeping in mind when visiting museums or reading historical accounts. Some items in older collections were acquired without regard for those boundaries, and many institutions now work with tribal nations on how such objects are shown, described or returned.

Practical notes for visitors

• If you are attending a large event in or around Santa Fe, check the venue's official website for its current bag policy before you go, because rules differ and can change.
• Museums and cultural centers may ask you to check large bags. Arriving with a small or clear bag can make entry quicker.
• At feast days and dances open to visitors, follow each pueblo's posted guidance. Photography, recording and sketching are often prohibited, and a visibly closed bag with the camera away is a simple sign of respect.

For deeper reading on material culture, basketry and the objects people carried, explore our longform chapters or browse the Southwest archives. Upcoming talks and gatherings are listed on our events page.