parfleche, unrecorded Cheyenne, Ka’igwu (Kiowa), or Numunuu (Comanche) artist

The Plains Indian Tribes used parfleche “envelopes” such as these to carry food and other belongings when they moved their camps. Throughout the year they followed the bison herds on their annual migrations. The parfleche bags were filled with dried meat and plants, and hung from the saddle as the groups made their seasonal rounds in search of food. The term parfleche itself (literally “defend arrow”) was originally used by French fur traders and refers to the animal-hide construction, which was tough enough to deflect arrows.