Sacred Beings
Buffalo and Deer - Sustainers of Life

Buffalo and Deer - Products for Daily Life

Parfleches

Parfleche containers were usually made of buffalo hide, although horse, elk, moose and, later, cowhide were also used. Hides were staked to the ground, pounded to remove the hair and make them pliable, then painted. The finished skin was cut and folded to make storage bags for food, medicine, clothing, headdresses, personal belongings or sacred materials. The designs painted on the containers were often personal but reflected symbolic imagery commonly used by others in the community.

Dakota/Lakota
c. 1900
Rawhide
CMC V-E-165
Horn spoon
Dakota, 1840-1860
Buffalo horn, porcupine quills
CMC V-E-344

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Introduction | Hunting Methods | Products of Life | Buffalo and Deer Imagery | Buffalo Ritual | Decimation of the Buffalo and Deer | Re-emergence of the Buffalo | Transition to Cattle ranching

Introduction | Buffalo and Deer | Dog and Coyote | Honouring the Horse

SACRED BEINGS | RANCHING | ENTERTAINMENT | RODEO | ARTS AND INDUSTRIES