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Eastman, Charles A., 1858-1939

"Old Indian Days"


Her moccasins are plain; her leggins close-
fitting and not as high as her brother's. She
parts her smooth, jet-black hair in the middle
and plaits it in two. In the old days she used
to do it in one plait wound around with wam-
pum. Her ornaments, sparingly worn, are
beads, elks' teeth, and a touch of red paint. No
feathers are worn by the woman, unless in a
sacred dance.
She is supposed to be always occupied with
some feminine pursuit or engaged in some social
affair, which also is strictly feminine as a rule.
Even her language is peculiar to her sex, some
words being used by women only, while others
have a feminine termination.
There is an etiquette of sitting and standing,
which is strictly observed. The woman must
never raise her knees or cross her feet when
seated. She seats herself on the ground side-
wise, with both feet under her.
Notwithstanding her modesty and undemon-
strative ways, there is no lack of mirth and
relaxation for Winona among her girl compan-
ions.


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