Nez Perce
ca. 1830s – 1840s
Interpretive text from Nimiipuu Tribal Committee:
"Constructed from qemu/dogbane and inner cornhusks, which may have been more available after Spalding had introduced corn to the Nimiipuu, in an effort to disrupt our gathering cycle and yearly movement across the land. These bags were constructed for storage of the various highly valued roots that were gathered throughout the season, including: qeq'iit, qaaws, and qem'es. A characteristic of earlier root bags, was to utilize the dogbane foundational twined elements as part of the design- overlaying the cornhusk false embroidered elements to create contrast with the dogbane."
Cornhusk, beargrass, hemp, hide. W 45, L 86 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 34552