“If a man who wishes his wife to be with him while he is
out hunting in the woods, he needs only tell her that on such a day they will
go to such a place where he will hunt for a length of time, and she will be
sure to have provisions and everything else that is necessary in complete
readiness, and well packed up to carry to the spot. The woman, therefore takes
charge of the baggage, brings it to the place of encampment, and there
immediately enters on the duties of housekeeping, as if they were at home. She
moreover takes pains to dry as much meat as she can, that none may be lost; she
carefully puts tallow up, assists in drying the skins, gathers in as much wild
hemp as possible for the purpose of making strings, carrying-bands, bags and
other necessary articles, collects roots for drying; in short, does everything
in her power to leave no care to her husband but the important one of providing
meat for the family.”
John Heckewelder 18th century.
2 comments:
That last sentence puts a bit of perspective in the "lazy brave - overworked squaw" belief that some have.
I agree Gorges, you can't comment on this way of life until you have lived it.
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