The History Of The Native American Moccasin
The Native Americans have some of the richest cultural values and traditions in the
world-you could study them their whole life and still not be able to understand their intricate history and beliefs. One of the richest parts of their culture comes in the form of their clothing.Their clothing was traditionally made of tanned leather, which they designed and made on their own. Their ornamentation is something which has been duplicated and imitated for centuries.
While each different tribe had their own style of dress and ceremony, they all had one thing in common. This most common and elemental piece of their apparel comes in the form of a shoe-the Moccasin.
The Moccasin was traditionally a sturdy slipper-shaped type of shoe sewn from tanned leather. The word "moccasin" comes from an Algonquian word, also spelled mocasin, mocassin, moccassin, mocassions,or mocussin, depending on the language and transcriber.
Most Indian tribes have their own native word for them. All American Indian moccasins were originally made of soft leather stitched together with sinew.
Though the basic construction of Native American moccasins was similar throughout North America, moccasin patterns were subtly different in nearly every tribe, and Indian people could often tell each others tribal affiliation simply from the design of their shoes.
In fact, the common names of some large nations like the Blackfoot and the Chippewas refer to their characteristic moccasin styles. Tribal differences included not only the cut of the moccasins but also the extensive bead work, quill work, and painted designs many Indian people lavished on their shoes.
In some tribes, hardened rawhide was used for the sole for added durability, and in others rabbit fur, or later sheepskin, was used to line the leather moccasins for added warmth. Plains Indian women also wore moccasin boots sometimes, which were basically just woman's thigh-length leggings sewn to their moccasins for a one-piece look.
Heavier-duty boots called mukluks were the invention of the Inuit, or Eskimos, who made them of sealskin, fur, and reindeer hide; some sub arctic Indian tribes adapted the mukluk style through trade or other contact with the Inuit, using caribou or buckskin instead.
Today, moccasins usually are part of a Native American regalia, or powwow suit of clothes. The most common style is that of the Plains Indian moccasin.
In New Zealand and Australia, sheep shearers' moccasins are constructed of a synthetic, cream-colored felt, with a back seam and gathered at the top of the rounded toe. These moccasins are laced in the front, and the lacing is covered with a flap fastened with a buckle at the shoe's outer side.
The fastener arrangement prevents the shearer's hand-piece comb from catching in the laces. Shearers' moccasins protect the feet, grip wooden floors well, and absorb sweat.
The word moccasin might also denote a shoe of deer or of faux leather adorned with laces; recently, the moccasin shoe has resurged as a popular form slipper shoe for men.
As Europeans penetrated Native American land, some people who came in to contact began to wear moccasins because of their functionality and comfort. This started a trend which has become increasingly accepted over time.
Moccasins have evolved in popular American culture over time, and many of today's shoes are based off the once Native design. Slip on shoes, loafers, flats and more can be rooted back to this beautiful element of design.
Leather and suede are typically used, and more and more brands are coming out with their own variations on the past. There are stores which sell these types of shoes exclusively.
Part of their great appeal comes from the fact that they are extremely comfortable, and easy to slip on and off in a hurry. They are particularly popular with youth, and the college students, who can wear them in both summer and winter, due to their ability to breath, and warmth.
You can find shoes like this at pretty much any shoe store you come across, and even in department stores and malls. You can order them online, from a number of sites which sell both more modern versions, and class Native American styles.
If it is comfort you want, check out these shoes. Your feet will be happier for it!
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