Parfleche

A parfleche is specific type of bag made of folded rawhide and typically decorated with bold geometric designs. Plains tribes often used parfleche bags to carry dried meat or clothing. There are two parfleche bags in the hands-on travois and several more in the large round display case. Take note of the leather strips that are used to tie the bags closed and the colorful painted designs.

French fur traders made up the word "parfleche" by combining the French words "parer," meaning "parry" or "defend," and "fleche," meaning "arrow."  The name refers to the fact that the bags were made from the same material Native Americans used to make tough rawhide shields.

Kiowa drying strips of meat on poles.