Plains Indians ParflechesPlains Indians were mostly hunters, they had access to a good supply of animal hides. Tanning those hides was very time consuming, an option was to use them raw. Rawhides could be used in the making many usefull items such as shields, knife sheaths, parfleches and other cases, drums, snowshoes, moccasin soles, etc. Rawhides could also be used to keep parts strongly bonded together such as in saddles, war clubs, sleds, etc. Rawhides needed much less processing time. A fresh hide was cleaned and prepared by removing any remaining meat and fat. Hair was then scraped off with a sharp stone or steel tool. The skin was then stretched on the ground with stakes, and dried for a day or two in the sun. This process created a stiff and very strong leather.
Assiniboine Tipis |
