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Miwok Material Culture: Indian Life of the Yosemite Region (1933) by S. A. Barrett and E. W. Gifford


QUIVERS

Two types of quivers were used by the Central Miwok. One, called hononga, was a buckskin bag, kept at home. The other, a carrying quiver called suta, was a cylinder, open at both ends and comprised the entire skin of an animal, minus head and feet, and hair side out. The skin of the black fox or otter was especially valued, but after Americans came dog skins were used. In preparing a skin, it was sewed up the belly where cut for skinning. The tail was left as a pendent ornament. The skin edges where head and feet were cut off were decorated with abalone bangles. No stick or hoop was put in the neck to keep it open, but it was dried with an annular opening.

The carrying quiver had no shoulder strap for suspension, but was carried horizontally in the hand. The arrows were tied in a bundle with buckskin thongs. The bow was carried separately. When the bearer was shooting, either in hunting or warfare, he held the quiver under his left arm so that the arrows could be readily withdrawn.

In the dwelling house was a forked stick projecting upward from the wall. On this was laid the buckskin bag (hononga) in which the arrows were stored. This quiver was closed at one end and unornamented. It had no padding to protect the arrows, but was always kept in a horizontal position. The carrying quiver was usually placed on top of it, after the arrows had been transferred.

A badger skin (1-10230, University collection) folded over a stick, in imitation of a quiver, was carried by the master of ceremonies in a dance held in Yosemite in 1905.



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