The Bandolier Bag
Seminole bandolier bag
Hello everyone!
I recently learned more about those wonderful, beautifully beaded Native American bags, called bandolier bags. I mean the details and amount of work on those bags are just incredible! Just like the Seminole bandolier bag on the right. One can safely assume that numerous hours were spent on beading this bag… Let’s look at the origins of the bandolier bag.
Origins of the Bandolier bag
Where do those beautiful bags come from? Well most of them were made in the second half of the 19th century into the beginning of the 20th century. But some are still made today. Natives from the Great Lakes region (some ended up being traded to Plains nations later on) originally copied them from bags carried by European soldiers (they would put their ammunition in them). They originally were solely decorative and did not have any openings. With time, a slit was added. They were made by women for men to wear during ceremonies and dances. The Bandolier bag is then a ceremonial bag in a sense. It is not meant to be used in every day life to carry your things.
So what is the Bandolier bag for?
Ojibwe bandolier bag
As one can see the Native American bandolier bags are quite ornate. The beadwork on them is exquisite and glass seed beads were originally used by the women making them. Wool, velvet or leather were the chosen materials for the bag itself. Women either used spot stitching (one bead added at a time using a piece of thread) or loom beading (using a wooden loom). it was labor intensive and basically a labor of love! Just look at the details on the Obijwe bag on the right!
Loom beaded bandolier bag
Spot stitched bandolier bag
Designs did vary slightly (the Cree-Ojibwe bags being somewhat slimmer) but bandolier bags were meant to be worn by men, the beaded strap placed diagonally across the shoulders (so it would sit at hip level). They were considered to be an object of prestige and status, especially if a man wore two at a time, like the men in the pictures below. It becomes a decorative piece in itself. Just gorgeous!
Men at a dance, wearing bandolier bags
Different styles
Looking at different pictures, one can notice that different nations have different bead work or slightly different styles of bandolier bags. Below you can see the Cree bag on the right (quite slimmer and with the typical Cree 5 petal flowers on it) and the Shawnee bandolier bag on the left (quite larger, straps being wider).
Shawnee bandolier bag
Cree bandolier bag-19th century
Finally, the Cherokee bag below is just unique in its details and tassels and ornate. While the Chippewa (Ojibwe) and Cree nations often have similar designs, the bag below is certainly one of a kind.
Chippewa bandolier bag
Cherokee bandolier bag
Finally, I thought I would mention that the Metis nation is also known for its beading work on bags and clothing. Some say that Cree and Ojibwe nations were introduced to beading by the Metis. It will be the topic of an upcoming post. Stay tuned!
For those of you who would like to have a bandolier bag, you can still find some today. However, you will have to pay, as they will be vintage. You can check out this Etsy shop for great ones. Another Etsy shop also has great options as well as other native authentic products.
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Hi Emily,
Your review of the Native American Bandolier Bag is very thorough. I really like those pictures and the bead work on them is fantastic. It’s quite obvious they were all hand made. No mass production could get that much quality. It looks almost as if the Bandolier Bag was a substitute for pockets back in the early days. Cheers
Hi Ed! Oh for sure all hand made, time consuming too. But just gorgeous! Well the Bandolier bag was for ceremonies only. But you are right, other types of bags were used instead of pockets which did not exist yet 🙂
Emily, this was a really great history lesson. The bags are beautiful and the men seemed to wear them proudly from looking at the pictures. That Cherokee bandolier bag is simply exquisite!
Thanks Sharon!
it is a great part of history. Those bags are just a work of art 🙂
Very detail review, the bags are look very nice too,
thanks Seth! They do look exquisite
Hi Emily
Thanks for your post on the Bandolier bag, it always good to discover something about our history and the things that were made then as a symbol as status and decoration.
There was a lot of soul put into these items and they took time and pride to make them.
They are all made authentic,unique and original by the maker & by the wearer of the Bandolier.
It’s good to learn and see that some traditions are still being kept alive and the spirit of the natives lives on .
All the best,
Pete.
For sure Pete there is a lot of soul in those bags! Lots of time and effort and lots of pride wearing them!
Hey Emily!
Thank you for all the information!
Great pictures and good information, I absolutely love it!
Pierre
Thanks Pierre!
Nice, Thanks, I want one someday.
Hi Gerald!
Bandolier bags are wonderful bags. But rare to find these days. Unless you know someone who learned how to make them.
Hi Thanks for the great read! Just a question as to where the picture came from with the two gentlemen? one seems to be wearing a jingle type breach clothe and i find that very intriguing.
Hi Darren
I am glad to hear you enjoyed the article. I honestly do not remember where I took this particular picture as it is has been a while. They do seem to be Plains men though.
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