A Chippewa Widow
“Not the portrait of any individual, but [it] is intended to represent a singular custom which prevails among the Chippewa Indians . . .” According to custom, Chippewa widows would select some of their husband’s personal belongings and wrap them into a small bundle and carry them for a year, during which time, she was forbidden to marry. McKenney wrote, she “treats it with respect which would be due to a living lord and master, and would be considered as disgracing herself and treating his memory with disrespect, if she was to part with it even for a moment.” Only her husband’s relatives could take away the bundle, after which, she could remarry.
Portrait is a 12" x 18" unframed archival print.
