Women's purses were both leather and cloth. The practice of carrying a "bag" has always been part of our culture. They were used to carrying items that had been gathered, and items each individual considered important to her. 

The use of cloth bags became common after the Europeans began interacting and trading with Native people.

The bag on the right could have been a pipe bag. Pipe bags were used for storing and carrying pipes and tobacco, and a flint and steel for lighting the pipe. Both men and women had pipes and pipe bags.

by Kathy and Gina, Nah Tah Wahsh Staff
January 15, 2001
 

To see bead work click the hot spot on top of leather purse (left). To get a better view of cloth purse click on hot spot in the middle of the purse (right).