Historical View

Bandolier bags originate with the First Nations of the Great Lakes and Prairie regions during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Men and some women wore Bandolier Bags as a symbol of familial wealth and prestige, shown with the elaborate designs and techniques through glass beadwork.

Though European influence on the construction of the bag can be detected Indigenous peoples had used the bags for generations beforehand (Kilroy-Ewbank, 2016). Early bags were constructed of buckskin with furs, quills, moose hair and embroidery (Cotherman). Native women produced the bags with this material as well as cotton and wool they had obtained from trading, which can be seen on the underside of the strap on the bag (Kilroy-Ewbank, 2016). 

In the early, mid-nineteenth century Bandolier Bags began to lose much of their funcationality as storage and took on a more symbolic function of ceremonial dress (Kilroy-Ewbank, 2016). Now seen as a symbol in ceremonial dress the bags created and maintained interactive kin and intertribal relationships.

Dimensions:

Bag- 46.5 x 15 inches

Strap- 47 inches

Pouch- 11.5 inches

Yarn- 2 inches