Traditional way of life

Dwellings, clothes, food and utensils of the indigenous population of America depended on weather conditions and the way of life. For example, for the Aleuts the sea and the sea coast was the main source of existence. Clothes were made from kalan, fur seals and seals skins; kayaks were sown round with seal and eared seals skins. Frameworks of houses, implements and tools were made of wood thrown to the shore by the surf. Points of harpoons, spears and darts were made of bones of sea animals and walrus tusks.

In warm climate clothes were mostly made of elk and deer skins. In the warm climate of California people did not need warm clothes, so men wore bands made of deer leather on their hips, and women wore aprons made of dried grass or maple inner bark. Clothes were decorated with fringe and embroidery made of split and colored porcupine quills, as well as feathers and shells. Sometimes elk hair was used for embroidery. With the appearance of Europeans, porcupine quills and shells were replaced with glass beads.

Red Cloud, the Sioux Indians Head. USA, Dakota state. The Sioux. G. Grabill. 1891