Choctaw coat
ca. 1900
Mississippi
Cotton
77 x 47 cm
Collected by Mark R. Harrington
1/8888
In 1830, the Choctaw became the first Southeastern tribe to be forcibly removed to the West. Those few who managed to remain lived in small, isolated communities of related families. In the early 20th century, Choctaw men dressed like rural whites, though some men still wore hunting coats. Usually made from red cotton cloth, with ruffles and/or appliqué decoration around the edges, Choctaw hunting coats were also worn at special occasions, such as ball games, with several strands of glass bead necklaces, a pair of beaded shoulder sashes, and a belt.
