"Few Indians only had breech cloths, most being wrapped in buffalo robes, otherwise quite naked"
- Zebulon Pike
About this Quote
This quote by Zebulon Pike is describing the clothing of Native Americans in the early 19th century. He is saying that the majority of Native Americans were not wearing much clothes, with just a few wearing breech fabrics. Most of them were rather wrapped in buffalo robes, and otherwise were rather naked. This recommends that the Native Americans of the time were not using much clothing, and were rather counting on animal skins and furs to keep them warm. This might be due to a lack of resources, or simply because they preferred to wear less clothing. It could likewise signify their respect for nature and the animals they hunted. Whatever the factor, this quote shows that Native Americans of the time were not using much clothes, and were instead counting on animal skins and furs to keep them warm.
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