Cornhusk Bag (front and back)
There was a great deal of interaction among the tribes of the Columbia Plateau area. Trading, gift giving, traveling for root feasts, annual celebrations, and marriages are still carried on today. Bags were often part of these transactions. Bags like this one were created in different sizes for carrying food, clothing, and personal belongings. They were flexible and pliable and could accommodate various items. This bag is plain twined of Indian hemp or commercial jute. The false embroidery is dyed and undyed cornhusk and wool.
Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum), cornhusk (Zea mays), wool. H 64, W 48 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 142