Native American/First Nations tartans?

[dfmacliam]

Hopi wear an unbifurcated garment for traditional ceremonies. The word for it is translated from Hopi to English as "kilt." But no tartan involved in its design. Hopi men weave their own kilts.

The potential is there, but the interest is not...

with the Tewa.. which the Hopi are part of, they use a color combinaton that identifies the Pueblo.. on their dance kilts.... so like a tartan.. the pattern identifies.

[Bigkahuna]

Many of the tribes of the Eastern woodlands wore a kilt like garment. This was way before their exposure to Highlanders. However, this may be one of the reasons that the highlanders were so well received by tribes like the Iroquois. The other tribes that had contact with highlanders probably made good use of any kilts and plaids that became available at places like Ticonderoga and Bushy Run. I don't see why Native Americans would want a Tartan.

[dfmacliam]

Jim, the northeastern tribes did wear something that resembled a kilt.. As did the tribes of the southwest, used as dance kilts.. I personally know for a fact the Navajo's, Apache's, Hopi's, Pueblo's, and so on wore theirs for ceremonials..

Today, you will still see the kilt like item worn by many tribes, only in a ceremonial type situation.. I am active in the Native American powwows and I have been dancing for over 25 years now. I am a member of the Kiowa Tia Piah Gourd Society and I wear a black shawl wrapped around my waist (which again resembles a kilt) that signifies my membership in this Society..

You are correct in pointing out the hunting shirt that is belted would appear to be kilted... sounding simular to the old Irish Liene arguement too. For everyday wear, the breachclout is worn, but the breach was not a universal style, it's method of construction varied from tribe to tribe, region to region. Some were long, some short, and the combinations with the front and back. The width varies also some were narrow while others were considered aprons..

I am not looking to wear a kilt to identify my Native blood, as I said I have been dancing for many years, and to be honest, when I am fully dressed out, the money I have spent/ or items that were made, values exceed the cost of a 8 yd handsewn kilt with all the accessories.. I have no intention of blending cultures, this is about exploring what others have done... It would be interesting to see a tartan that is Native inspired.

[Tartan Hiker]

James,
Check this thread for instructions on how to post photos.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...096/index.html

[cavscout]

It would be helpful if we could see some images of the "kilt-like garment". My google-fu has yet to turn up anything resembling a male skirt worn by the Cherokee. You frequently see long shirts or coats wrapped and belted but I've never seen what is being described above. I'd be very interested to see it.

***Edit***
Here's the only thing I've turned up

http://www.tuscaroras.com/graydeer/p...ldrenspage.htm
Kilts were traditionally made from leather and the edges fringed and decorated with porcupine quill-work. Kilts are secured around the waist by a sash. Today kilts can be made from cloth, usually wool in red or black is preferred. Also worn with a kilt, or breech cloth are leather, wool, or broadcloth leggings that are either attached by separate ties to a sash--or threaded through a sash or leather belt.

http://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.ca/appearance.html
Men might also wear kilts made of soft skins.
(The male here appears to be wearing the garment we are discussing.)


http://www.cqsb.qc.ca/svs/434/fncloth.htm
Kilts, which look a lot like skirts, were occasionally worn by Iroquoian men on formal, dress-up occasions, but seem not to have been part of the day-to-day wear.


This appears to be focused on Northeastern Tribes. I've still found nothing about the Cherokee wearing a "kilt-like" garment.

[dfmacliam]

The Cherokee are an Iroquoian tribe, basically cousins to the Iroquois. At one time the Cherokee range covered a good part of the east coast, and the southern neighbors for the most part of the Iroquois Confederacy.

[cavscout]

Not to be argumentative but, that doesn't mean that Cherokee males wore a skirted garment like the Northeastern tribes mentioned above. Records I've read as old as the early 1700's go into great detail about the clothing they wore but none mention a skirt. Maybe it was phased out over a few hundred years in the southeast but seeing as there is no record of it among the Cherokee (that I've found) it seems to be a stretch to include the Cherokee with the Iroquois on this custom. If there are sources available I'd love to know more about them.