NATIVE AMERICAN CLOTHING IT’S NOT ALL WAR PAINT AND HEAD DRESSES

MEN All clothing were made from animal skins prior to European contact and trading. There was different clothing for different seasons and events (celebrations/battle). Generally, during warm weather men wore a loin cloth or breechcloth, long piece that was worn between the legs and tucked into a belt in the front and back. (like the first picture) In the winter men would wear leggings to protect legs, shirts, and wrap up in skins for warmth. (second picture) The last picture is Tecumseh (a Shawnee Indian leader) in what was probably battle garments, notice the head dress and adornments around his neck. These were not everyday items but adornments for battle.

IMPORTANT: Not all Native Americans wore the same clothing. Why? Because they made their clothing from what they hunted each piece was unique. There were no Malls to go and buy their clothing, it was dependent on what you NEEDED and what hide or pelt was available and right for that piece. The women would then make your leggings or shirt and adorn it with porcupine quill embroidery and beadwork. The clothing would be similar meaning, if it was a pair of leggings it looked like a pair of leggings but each was unique. Animals hides used were deer, bear and beaver. Also, when the weather was warm you may have seen men and women with no clothing on, could you imagine how hot dear pelts could be? Native Americans wore moccasins on their feet for protection and warmth.

WOMEN It is important to remember every women’s clothing would have been different, Native Americans dressed out of necessity and what they were doing. In the first picture this women is probably in winter clothing, a dress, leggings, and a wrap. In the middle picture the women in the picture have on dresses, simple clothing, this was probably during warmer months. In the last picture the women is wearing a dress but it is adorned with shells around the neck and upper body. This would have been a dress for a ceremony of some sort.

Clothing activity: The last slide is a picture painted by Benjamin West showing the signing of a treaty between the Delaware Indians and William Penn in West was asked to paint the painting after the treaty was signed and completed the painting around ***Remember it is a painting and not a picture so the clothing you see on both the Native Americans and Penn’s men are not exactly true to what they may have been wearing. This painting illustrates the differences in clothing between the Native Americans and William Penn’s men. In a word document please list for me 5 main differences in the clothing. You can include men, women and children clothing in your comparisons. Name your document, firstname.lastname clothing.doc. Please look at the picture for a few moments before you give me examples. Post document to schoology.