The prototype of modern fashionable moccasins was suede shoes worn by Indian tribes living in North America. Read on to learn more about the features of real Indian models and their differences from modern ones.
What are Indian moccasins?
This is one of the oldest types of shoes on earth. It is lightweight, comfortable, and is made from deer, elk or bison leather. Initially, moccasins were cut from a single piece of raw material, wrapped around the leg and connected with 1-2 seams. They often had small details in the form of a lapel, cuff or lacing, and were decorated with porcupine quills, fringe, and beads.
In such shoes, the Indians could overcome long distances without fatigue, silently sneak up on animals while hunting or on the enemy during raids. But the moccasins, sewn together with animal sinews and plant fibers, quickly wore out and were trampled during hikes. Even the swamp varieties, fastened with leather straps, could not withstand use for more than a few days.Men warriors and hunters did not set off on a journey without several spare pairs, changing them as they wore out.
Shoe Features
Dressed skins of deer, buffalo, and bison were used for tailoring. Usually animal tendons were used as threads, sometimes the parts were held together with thin leather strips. The design was quite simple - a single piece of suede went to the sole and side parts, and everything was connected with an external wrinkled seam around the upper part in the form of a tongue, sometimes very narrow, and more often wide. This cut provided a good fit to the leg.
In the shoes of the Indians it was possible to make long walks on foot without feeling tired. It prevented rubbing of calluses, was breathable, and a special smoke treatment gave the suede water-repellent properties. European settlers quickly appreciated all the positive aspects of shoes, and those who spent a lot of time on their feet - traders and hunters - began to wear similar options.
Important! The southern tribes had a wicker analogue of moccasins made from the leaves of swamp plants or dry corn. They were worn as a summer look or layered over suede ones for protection.
What are they?
The Indians sewed the original moccasins in various ways; sometimes even within the same tribe they wore shoes of a different cut. But different conditions of coexistence in the natural environment, terrain and climate characteristics predetermined the emergence of varieties:
- with soft sole;
- with a hard sole;
- tall.
The option with a soft sole was well suited to the tribes that inhabited the forests in the east of the mainland. Leaves and pine needles were no problem for these shoes. Its cut seemed to wrap the leg in one piece of skin, connecting it with a seam in the center or along the outside of the foot. Sometimes an entire piece of leather would be attached to a U-shaped piece located at the front of the moccasin.
Options that had a hard sole at the base were convenient for the inhabitants of the western prairies and semi-deserts. To protect against cactus spines and grass awns, it was cut from rough buffalo skin. The model was sewn by connecting two or more parts made of skin. The toe in this variety was raised so as not to tear the skin on sharp stones when walking.
Women of some tribes sewed high moccasins. At first, knee-length suede leggings were worn with the shoes. A little later they began to be combined with shoes. In cold weather they wore it with a fur backing. Men also wore such moccasins, but sometimes they were sewn directly onto leather pants, which was convenient for residents of the northern regions. In the southern and southwestern lands they were used to protect against succulent thorns and snake bites.
Important! Moccasins are not unique footwear. Many nations wore variants of a similar cut. But the modern models were based on the North American moxa version.
How are they different from modern shoes?
The Indian moccasins, brought back to life, served as the prototype of modern trendy footwear, the characteristic features of which are: thin sole, external seam connecting the last and the upper part, decorative elements - fringe, tassels, lacing around the heel.
However, there are a number of differences between the moccasins of North American Indians and the models of our time:
- soft leather soles are now used only in shoes for a small part of car enthusiasts;
- in models of the 20th and 21st centuries, a synthesis of Indian shoe designs with soft and hard soles was adopted as the main cut option;
- in modern times, this variety is worn only in the summer and always on bare feet.
Important! Moccasins have an almost flat soft sole. They don't have a heel like loafers, they don't have welts and lacing like top-siders.
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