From time immemorial, representatives of a surprisingly strong, hardy and mysterious people have lived on the territory of modern America. These people believed that all life on earth is endowed with a soul. They are said to be able to talk to animals and plants. And the souls of their ancestors always remained with them in the breath of the wind, in the flickering of sunlight and the quiet rustle of trees. These people hunted not for profit, but for subsistence, respectfully guarding their land and the gifts that it gave them. And for communication, they used sign language and all kinds of signals more often than voice. Now this people is called by the general term "Indians", but in the old days there were several hundred separate tribes. Only in North America there were about 400 of them. They differed from each other in traditions, culture, way of life. Some of them were hunters, others were brave warriors, others were raising cattle and farming. clothingIndians of America was also different.
Some Indian tribes
Indians is the common name for the indigenous population of America. And all because when Christopher Columbus discovered these places, he mistakenly considered them to be the lands of India. The Ottawa and Ojibwe lived in the northern part. Closer to the East - Iroquois and Mohicans. The southeast was inhabited by the Cherokee and Seminoles, Central America by the Mayan and Aztec peoples. The Incas hunted in South America, and the Apaches and Navajos hunted in the deserts of the Southwest.
Indian warrior clothes
The clothes of the Indians (photos are presented in the article) were different depending on the situation and weather conditions. On ordinary days, going hunting, they dressed simply and comfortably. But for rituals, at solemn moments or during the courtship of girls, the Indians dressed up richly and colorfully. Casual wear consisted of a loincloth or leggings and moccasins. Usually men preferred to walk bare-chested. These people did not attach much importance to the wardrobe, as is customary among Europeans. Going hunting, the men pulled on their ankles leggings, reminiscent of modern leggings. The chiefs of the Prairie Indians wore white shirts adorned with the scalps of their enemies. In cold weather, a cloak of buffalo skin was thrown over the shoulders, with fur to the body. Gradually, the Indians began to prefer capes made of sheep's wool. The clothes of the North Indians were supplemented with mittens and a shirt made of deer and antelope skin. They also had cloaks like blankets made of cotton. For hunting, some tribes wore wide leatherbelts or sleeveless jackets to protect against injury. Only in the 19th century, imitating we althy Europeans, the Indians began to use velvet, chintz, silk, and satin ribbons for sewing outfits. The Quechua liked to wear a poncho - a cloak made of two pieces of rectangular fabric with a hole for the head in the middle, sewn from sheep's wool. In the warm season, the cloak was folded in half and worn as a scarf.
What did the women wear
The clothing of the female Indians was less conspicuous and simpler. Residents of the southern regions wore only skirts, others - a belt of modesty, tied at the waist with lacing. In the center of America, women covered their private parts with pieces of fur, later replacing them with cotton cloth. In cold weather, women wore a sheepskin shawl. On the back, it could be tucked up and put into the resulting space any burden or even a child. Prairie women wore long straight shirts made of suede. But they were all skilled weavers. On improvised machines, they made shirts, belts, belts, dresses, poncho raincoats and bedspreads. Women embroidered with beads and threads, sewed on fringe and braid, and made folds on clothes. The body and face of the girls were often painted with tattoos. Among the noble representatives of the tribe, the face and hands were covered with elaborate patterns, women from a simple class applied only a few lines to the skin. In some tribes, drawings on the face testified to a low position in society, and on the hands, on the contrary, to a high status.
Indian clothes-children
Children up to 5-6 years old went completely naked. It was believed that they deserve to wear adult outfits only when they learn the rules of behavior and learn the necessary skills. It was in childhood that they began to outline the body with the first patterns. Old and respected women did it with fish bones or cactus thorns.
Headwear
The Indians didn't cut their hair. Therefore, even men had chic hair, intercepted at the back with a wide ribbon, bandage or belt. In some tribes, in order to instill fear in the enemy, they shaved their heads, leaving a comb or a thin pigtail. Or they smeared their hair with fat, gave it unimaginable shapes. The national dress of the Indians was rather an ornament, an opportunity to show off than a necessity. Feathers were worn on the head, variously colored and cut, on the body - the fur of a beaver, otter, fox or other animal. The number of feathers and the type of fur were determined by military rank or special services to the tribe. For example, the skin of a panther could only be worn by the most outstanding warrior. On weekdays, the Indians wore hats made of tree bark or straw, which protected them from the hot sun. Plains tribes built a crown of feathers. The southern population used hairnets, and a red thread with shells and beads strung on it was attached to the forehead.
Shoes
On their feet the Indians wore soft moccasins. It was a piece of leather, tied at the top with a cord, which was pulled through holes along the edges. Such shoes allowed them to silently approach prey or the enemy. But at thatAt the same time, it protected from numerous poisonous snakes and insects. Going hunting, the man took with him several pairs of moccasins at once in reserve. There were shoes with soft or harder soles, high and low. Prairie Indians richly decorated moccasins with porcupine quills.
Jewelry
The style of the Indians in clothing was distinguished by peculiar ethnic ornaments. Drawings, embroidery were applied to leather products, fringe, beads, shells were attached. Feathers were a special attribute. Both men and women loved bracelets not only for hands, but also for legs, earrings. Necklaces were made from feathers, fruit seeds, deer hooves, shells, grizzly claws, shells, and animal teeth. Later they began to make jewelry from copper, silver and brass. The more massive they were, the higher the position in society the person occupied. The Indians were very fond of applying tattoos to the body, especially for the peoples of the South. But the men mostly wore war paint that washed off to look intimidating in hunting and war.
The clothes of the Indians did not at all indicate their belonging to a particular tribe. Often, many of them, after winning the battle, took the trophies for themselves and wore them with pride. Women decorated shirts obtained in battle by men with beaded embroidery and ocher. And it was already impossible to figure out which tribe the outfit belonged to. In addition, warriors could wear the headdresses of dead rivals to confuse the enemy.
Accessories
ClothesIndians was not as important as other things that complement the outfit. The men always had a tomahawk - a small hatchet, which was a symbol of the honor and valor of a warrior. Its handle was made of deer antler or wood, and the blade was flint or metal. The tomahawk was intended for close combat, it was decorated with suede fringes and protected.
The peace pipe is still considered a sacred object for a few descendants of the Indians. Initially, it was a symbol of fertility. It was lit in a circle, in turn, to call for rain. The smoke symbolized the clouds. Later, the pipe was smoked with Europeans to seal peace agreements. The decoration of the peace pipe was eagle feathers.
Indians still live in America. Now the clear boundaries of the division of the people into tribes have practically disappeared. But, despite the fact that there are very few purebred Indians left, they still managed to preserve their culture and individuality, and they continue to deeply honor the memory of their ancestors.
