Clothing
The Iroquois made clothes that were useful not only for protection but also for decoration. The materials used include deerskin, other animal hides and furs, elm barks and various organic materials. During the summer, men and women wore loincloths made of soft deerskin that were held in place by a leather string around the waist. If the weather were cold, then the men would wear leather leggings and tunics while the women would wear long skirts and leggings. If the weather were very cold, then they would add on animal fur robes. The Iroquois were very skilled with their hands, and made many kinds of clothing, such as rabbit fur capes, shawls, robes, bear fur capes, leather leggings and tunics, and moccasins, which were very popular among the Iroquois for warmth in the winter and were made out of leather or corn husks.
They decorated their clothing with clan symbols, significant objects found in nature, porcupine quills, shells, beads and feathers. They also wore necklaces made of wooden or shell beads, animal teeth and other natural objects. For their hairstyles, the women wore their hair hanging down the back in a braid, while the men wore many hairstyles, but they are especially known for their famous mohawks. Their surrounding provided many of the materials for the objects they make, such as the fur from the animals.
Made by Helen Liu
Block D
2013
Block D
2013