Miwok Fashion

Miwok Fashion Expert

Ceremonial POWWOW Headband (bandolier)

As the Fashion expert, you will research the clothing worn by the members during different seasons and for ceremonies. How did they construct their clothing? How did it meet their needs? What materials did they use? How did they acquire those materials? You will need pictures and samples along with your presentation.

Some general information from a fourth grade project can get you started. Go to the Central Valley portion of te site (at the top) and click on your subject http://www.cuca.k12.ca.us/la/tribes.html .

You can find some basic information about clothing at the following sites: http://curtis-collection.com/tribe%20data/miwok.html

http://www.sacbee.com/goldrush/part1/01maptopast.html

http://www.cuca.k12.ca.us.la.tribes.html

http://www.unionsd.k12.ca.us/noddin/4th.html

Men wore a deerskin loincloth and women wore, either the same or a double fringed apron of deerskin. Both sexes used, when necessary, deerskin moccasins with attached leggings.

Miwok Dancer from Indian Grinding Rock

Loom Stitch for POWWOW

"Roach" Head dress for POWWOW worn by the men.

Peyote Stick Sticks for POWWOW

Lazy Stitch Bead/Needle work on POWWOW vest.

KONKOW MAIDU BATSAWI. A topknot of turkey or goose feathers attached to a circular foundation by securing each feather in place with knotted twine; buckskin strap attached; 7 – 9" high. Originally used in the Chico Bear Dance and Oya (Coyote) Ceremony. Similar to topknots used by the Pomo, Miwok and others. http://www.pacwesttraders.com/dance.html

Lauren Wilson, Miwok dancer, shown wearing
both Batsawi and Patsuni headpieces. PWT photo
7/22/99.

Photo Acquired from Pacific Western Traders

KONKOW MAIDU PATSUNI (left). The head roll is of bound tule, covered with faux otter fur and ornamented with pegs fastened at varying angles. Each peg is made of a turkey feather quill with a clamshell disk bead attached at the tip, wrapped with glass seed beads and tipped with a “flicker” quill flag and abalone pendant suspended with glass seed beads. Head pieces of this type are
believed to have been originally used in the Aki Dance. They are now generally used by both Maidu and Miwok dancers and Pomo dancers use variations of the style as well. http://www.pacwesttraders.com/dance.html

An early illustration showing hair plumes and flicker bands from a painting by Russian artist Louis Choris, dated at San Francisco Mission,
1816. (Acquired from Pacific West Traders)

The use of hairpins and dance plumes in Central and Northern California by both men and women is documented in several cultures, including the Miwok, Maidu, Pomo, Wintun, and Wailaki. Men’s varieties were generally worn in pairs at the back of the head, skewered through a bunched-feathered headpiece or hairnet so that the plumes projected horizontally. Women’s pins were often worn at the temples, either secured by a headband or pushed into the braids so they stood vertically. Hair plumes were a standard part of the headdress for most ceremonial dances, including the Toto, Hesi, Acorn, and others. Replications of historical examples are made available in the designs illustrated by the
accompanying sketches. http://www.pacwesttraders.com/dance.html

Last Revised: 01/03/01