Brown Hair With Black Highlights

Shields war

Above: Crow shield preserved in Berlin

The shield of war was not so much physical protection to its holder as a security for his spirit. the warrior who wanted to build one chose a hide that had to be large at least twice the shield to be built. With the assistance of friends dug a circular hole in the ground which lit a fire and stared down through the pegs, the skin over the opening of the excavation. It is then rubbed with animal glue and the same for the effect of heat, it began to shrink. With the help of the good comrades moved hand in hand, placing the pegs adequately to the new width assumed. Each time you move the pegs back the skin was soaked with animal glue. These operations were repeated until the skin did not reach the desired size. At that point, he removed the pins, it is trimmed to remove the holes left thereof, and any imperfections and we began the process of decoration. The leather treated in this way became tough enough to withstand the blows of arrows, remaining at the same time, light enough to carry in battle.
This technique is described meticulously by the artist and explorer Catlin in his "Letters."

the original painting by Catlin, now in the ANMH, which depicts the operation and its ceremony

addition to the war there is a type of shield called "dance". Shields are lighter not intended to make their owner but to be used only in ceremonies.

Several examples of designs on shields Cheyenne

a second Treaty of ethnology.

represent the various types of spirits that rule the underworld, the earthly and heavenly

my shield Cheyenne.E style 'made of rawhide and painted with mineral pigments mixed with glue Animal