BUSHNELL] THE CHOCTAW OF BAYOU LACOMB, LOUISIANA 11 



fond of bright and gaudy colors. Among the older men are remem- 

 bered several who were experts in the art of making silver ornaments. 

 One small pin is shown in plate 14; this was made from a silver 

 dime and the date 1856 still may be clearly read on the back. Larger 

 ornaments were made from larger coins. Pendant earrings were 

 also fashioned, having glass beads attached to the lower part. When 

 dancing, the men often wore strings of small brass bells around each 

 leg, below the knee. These bells were highly prized by the older 

 generation. Feathers do not seem to have been held in great esteem, 

 although they were worn. 



Artifacts 



Comparatively few articles are now made by the Choctaw, much 

 of their ancient art having been forgotten. At the present time 

 they purchase the necessary tools and implements at the stores, and 

 other objects are no longer used. 



The list which follows is believed to include all things of native 

 origin now made by the Choctaw at Bayou Lacomb: 



WOOD 



Mortars iind pestles (see pp. 8, 9). 



Scrapers, two forms of, used in preparing skins (see pp. 11, 12). 



Drum (see p. 22). 



Ball club (see p. 20). 



Blowgun and darts (see p; 18). 



Canoes (see p. 18). 



STONE 



Pieces of chert or jasper are sometimes used with a steel to ''strike 

 fire." 



LEATHER 



Straps for carrying baskets. 

 Narrow strips used on the ball clubs. 

 Untanned skins used for the heads of drums. 



Long strips of tanned deer skin used as lashes for whips by the 

 drivers of ox teams employed in the lumber industry. 

 The Choctaw method of tanning is as follows: 



(a) Skins to be tanned soft, without the hair. A hole is dug in the ground, its size 

 being determined by the number of skins to be prepared. The walls and bottom are 

 made smooth and water is poured in, which, on account of the nature of the clay and 

 sand formation, remains several hours. The skins are then put into the water, where 

 they are allowed to remain several hours, or sometimes during the night. A hole filled 

 with water, containing several skins, is shown beneath the ax handle in plate 11, a. 



After the skin has become sufficiently soaked and softened, it is taken from the water 

 and spread over the end of a beam, as shown in plate 11, a. In this position the hair 

 is readily removed by the use of an instrument resembling a modern drawknife, and, 



