Handbook of Indians of Canada - ElectricCanadian.com

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE AND FISHERIES
^ion than were the Tuscarora, who are of the
language and lineage of the Five Nations.
The Delawares were not adopted as warriors
or chiefs, but as assistant cooks; neither were
they adopted, like the Tuscarora, as infants,
but as men whose duty it was to assist the
women whose official function was to cook for
the people at public assembUes. Their office
was hence well exemplified by the possession
of a corn pestle, a hoe, and petticoats. This
fact, misunderstood, perhaps intentionally
misrepresented, seems to explain the mystery
concerning the "making women" of the Dela-
wares. This kind of adoption was virtually a
state of probation, which could be made long
or short.
The adoption of a chief's son by a fellow
chief, customary in some of the tribes of the
N. W. coast, differs in motive and effect from
that defined above, which concerns persons
alien to the tribe, upon whom it confers citizen-
ship in the clan, gens and tribe, as this deals
only with intratribal persons for the purpose
of conferring some degree of honour upon them
rather than citizenship and political authority.
The Iroquois, in order to recruit the great
losses incurred in their many wars, put into
systematic practice the adoption not only of
individuals but also of entire clans and tribes.
The Tutelo, the Saponi, the Nanticoke, and
other tribes and portions of tribes were forced
to incorporate with the several tribes of the
Iroquois confederation by formal adoption.
(j. N. B. H.)
Adornment. The motive of personal adornment,
aside from the desire to appear attrac-
tive, seems to have been to mark individual,
tribal, or ceremonial distinction. The use of
paint on the face, hair, and body, both in colour
and design, generally had reference to individ-
ual or clan beliefs, or it indicated relationship
or personal bereavement, or was an act of
courtesy. It was always employed in cere-
monies, rehgious and secular, and was an accompaniment
of gala dress donned to honour a
guest or to celebrate an occasion. The face of
the dead was frequently painted in accordance
with tribal or religious symbolism. The practice
of painting was widespread and was
observed by both sexes. Paint was also put
on the faces of adults and children as a protec-
tion against wind and sun. Plucking the hair
from the face and body was generally practised
Deformation, as head flattening, and tattooing,
2 GEORGE v., A. 1912
according to some writers, were personal em-
bellishments. Fats were used to beautify the
hair and to ceremonially anoint the face and
body. Sweet grass and seeds, as those of the
columbine, served as perfume.
Ear ornaments were a mark of family thrift,
wealth, or distinction, and indicated honour
shown to the wearer by his kindred. Cere-
monies, occasionally religious in character,
some of which seem to relate to sacrificial rites,
usually attended the boring of the ear. Each
perforation cost the parent the child or the
kindred of the adult gifts of a standard value,
and sometimes these perforations extended
round the entire rim of the ear. The pendants
were of haliotis or other valued shell, or were
made of metal or bone, or were long woven
bands of dentaUum which reached nearly to
the waist.
Labrets were used by the Eskimo, the n.
Pacific coast tribes, and some of the Gulf coast
Indians. Among some the labret was worn
only by men, in some by women, and where
worn by both sexes it was of two different
styles. At puberty an incision was made in
the lip or at the corner of the mouth, and a
slender pin was inserted, which was replaced
by larger ones until the opening could admit a
stud of the size desired. The Eskimo, when
travelling, removed his labret to prevent freez-
ing of the lip, but inserted it when entering a
village. Among some of the northern and
southern tribes the septum of the nose was
pierced, and feathers, bark, or rings were
inserted.
Elaborate ornamentation of garments was
reserved for the gala dress. The Eskimo
combined bits of fur of different colours and
quality in a pleasing pattern for trimming their
garments, and fishskin dyed in brilliant colours
and the plumage of birds were also used for the
same purpose. Outer garments were made of
the breasts of sea birds skilfully joined to-
gether. Among the inland tribes the earUer
designs for porcupine and feather quiUwork
were reproduced later in beads of European
manufacture. Feathers were widely used to
decorate the robes and garments of warriors
and other distinguished persons, and were
woven into mantles by the cliff-dwellers and by
tribes formerly living near the Gulf of Mexico.
Among the Plains Indians the milk teeth of the
elk were the most costly of adornments. They
were fastened in rows on a woman's tunic,
giving the garment a value of several hundred
dollars.