T O P I C R E V I E W |
Zemenar |
Posted - March 23 2007 : 1:24:42 PM I am looking for a good webite or book that will show the hairstyles the Native Americans wore during the French and Indian War. Thanks |
2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
lonewolf |
Posted - July 02 2007 : 8:44:45 PM Greetings Zemenar,
Many of my Shawnee ancestors plucked the hair from their heads and face (yes, we also grew facial hair, still do) using small clamshells from the creeks as tweezers. OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! A lot of Shawnees left only about a three or four inch diameter scalplock at the back of the head, the hair hanging down the back, and braided or tied into a ponytail type arrangement with a leather thong. Wild turkey feathers were normally tied to the scalplock, and the feathers hung down from this tied hair. Other feathers such as bluejay or cardinal feathers were also worn along with the turkey feathers. My Oneida 4x great grandfather, Chief White Peter, wore his hair in this fashion, as well.
I see re-enactors who are portraying Shawnees wearing a lot of "do-rags" on their heads. Most Shawnees probably never wore these things. The people who would normally have been wearing the "do-rags" were the mixed French-Shawnee Metis. Tecumseh is pictured wearing a turban-like device on his head. He wore his hair as the whites of the time were wearing it. He had a full head of hair. It was cropped short, and never hung down the back of his neck. Some warriors only plucked the hair from the right or left side of their heads. Don't know why?
Like today, hairstyle seemed to be a matter of personal preference. No one style was worn by all in one tribe or in one Indian nation.
So, wear what you feel is right for yourself! There is no "wrong" way to wear it! |
Light of the Moon |
Posted - March 23 2007 : 1:40:33 PM Well, each tribe was done differently. For women it was typically the same. Two braids for single women, one braid for a married woman. As for men it varied but very rarely was it worn straight down. It was usually tied back in some way. Take Uncas for example. Even though his hair is worn down the front portion is pulled back into a weave. This was done for obvious reasons (keeping hair out of the face) so that they could work, hunt, or fight without being blinded. In ceremonies it was usually worn down or in braids and heavily decorated. In war the hair styles changed radically into something a bit more "scary" looking. The Huron are a good example and Magua's hair is very accurate as is the other warriors. The Hurons would shave their heads and mostly wear mohawks, decorated with red feathers or other honors they earned in past battles, war, ect... The red feathers, if earned in war, were painted differently depending on the situation and the tribe. In some tribes an all red meant that they were ferious and killed many. Red tip meant they injured their opponent enough to stop them but didn't kill them.
As far as a website...you can check out www.nativeamericans.com and look into the tribes you're interested in researching. They will tell you all about their history and will have links that lead you to the tribes home page where you can get all kinds of information.
Good luck! |
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