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Tsimshian Society and CultureWomen's ActivitiesBasketry and Clothing
The use of cedar-bark fibre for clothing and baskets distinguishes the Tsimshian from the Haida and the Tlingit, who favoured spruce-root fibre. This characteristic also allows archaeologists to trace the occupancy of Prince Rupert Harbour village sites to Tsimshian populations dating back to at least the first millennium B.C. |
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Clothing
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Raw cedar bark, stripped from a tree in spring, folded
and bound for later use Collected by G.T. Emmons for Lord Bossom, ca. 1900 (VII-X-92) |
Before European cloth became readily available in the 1820s, everyday clothing was woven from cedar bark. Women removed only a small amount of bark from each tree. A bark shredder and pounder made the inner bark pliable (the outer bark was discarded). Cedar clothing was warm and waterproof, ideal wear for a damp climate.
Ceremonial Clothing
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Chilkat Blanket (VII-C-2098) |
Chilkat blankets, aprons, and leggings were woven from yellow cedar bark and mountain-goat wool. Men were responsible for the design, women for the weaving. Leather clothing made from animal skins and furs was sewn together with sinew and leather thongs.
With the introduction of European wool blankets, button-blanket clothing became popular. Button blankets are usually identified by a crest design and mother-of-pearl buttons. Contemporary Tsimshian people continue to wear this garment on ceremonial occasions.
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Basketry
All women learned to weave cedar and spruce-root baskets, but
those who were especially adept were excused from household
chores to practise their craft.
Used for storing and transporting goods, baskets came in various sizes, both decorated and plain. Men carried fishing, hunting, and woodworking tools in baskets. Women used them for gathering wild fruits, berries, and other materials such as moss, shellfish, and seaweed. Woven hats served as protection against the sun and rain. Ropes, belts, necklaces, and mats were also woven from cedar bark.
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