A squire was originally a young man, probably fifteen or sixteen, who aspired to become a knight. As part of his training, he became an attendant to a knight. A squire’s duties consisted of dressing the knight, serving meals, caring for the...
Indians of North America; Kiowa Indians; Kiowa Indians -- Social life and customs; Bags; Clothing and dress
A variety of pouches and bags were worn by Kiowa men and women for different purposes. Bags were traditionally made from various animal hides and fur, as well as woven materials. Women usually decorated the bags with quills, paint, or beads. Small...
Accordions, concertinas, and melodeons are free reed instruments that are part of the aerophone family. Aerophone instruments produce sound by the vibration of air. These instruments have end keyboards and make sound by driving air over their...
Papua New Guinea; Papua New Guinea - social life and customs; Marriage customs and rights; Shells; Dowry; Brides
Among many of the indigenous peoples of Papua New Guinea, items from their environment, like shells and ivory from boar's tusks, were valuable. Traded from group to group, resources from the coasts could be obtained by people living further inland....
Egypt--Civilization -- To 332 B.C.; Jewelry, Ancient -- Egypt; Amulets
Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves with beautiful jewelry. Often, it included protective amulets, worn during life and during one's journey into the afterlife. An ordinary Egyptian woman probably would have worn this faience, glazed earthenware,...
Isis (Egyptian deity); Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization--To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities
Ancient Egyptians believed in an elaborate set of Gods, all interrelated in complex stories and events. These Gods often appeared in human form with characteristics of a specific animal or in half human/half animal form. They also had the power to...
Between 1942 and 1945, during World War II, the U.S. federal government regulated purchases of goods like food and gas. War Ration Books were issued to everyone. Each stamp or coupon authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the...
Clothing and dress; 18th century; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783; United States--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Breeches are knee-length pants popularly worn by men during the 18th century. These were most likely part of a Revolutionary War uniform for a soldier in the Continental Army.
But Where Do You Sit? Frivolous, fun furniture in bright colors and kitschy themes expanded furniture's playfulness in the 1960s. Innovative Italian designers pioneered new ideas, materials and "anti-design" shapes in domestic...
Cameroon; Bana Guili (African people); Bana Guili (African people) -- Social life and customs; Aprons; Clothing and dress
Cameroon has over 250 ethnic groups within its country. The Bana Guili (Kirdi) culture lives in the Bourrah or Mokoko region in the far northern part of Cameroon. A young woman of the Bana Guili culture who has reached puberty would wear these...
Islam; Islam -- Customs and practices; Rugs, Prayer
Can you guess how this rug is used? It's not for home decoration, but for prayer. Rugs, such as this, are an important part of a religion called Islam. Islam is one of the world's major religions. Muslims, followers of Islam, are found in over 120...
Can you tell what types of soda cans were used to make this toy helicopter? Children in many areas of Africa are very skilled at making toys out of the different things they find. This helicopter was made by a young boy in Mali out of empty soda...
Kenya; Masai (African people); Masai (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies; Masai (African people) -- Social life and customs; Headgear; Masai (African people) -- Clothing; Clothing and dress
Cattle are very important within the Masai culture of East Africa. The source of Masai livelihood, cattle are carefully protected. Because cattle raids with neighboring groups were once common, warriors hold a special place in Masai society....
Drum; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Ghana--Social life and customs; Ghana; Musical instruments; Percussion instruments
Certain African drums are called “talking drums.” Skilled drummers can create such a range of sound from them that it seems as if they can speak. This drum, called “atumpan,” is a type of talking drum used by the Akan peoples of Ghana. They...
Chickens are domestic birds. The adult female chicken is called a hen, the adult male is called a rooster, and the young are called chicks. There are many different breeds of chicken that are different sizes and colors. The rooster is larger and...
China; China -- Social life and customs; Hats; Headgear; Folklore -- China; Costume -- China; Clothing and dress
Children's hats like these have been worn in China for many centuries. In Chinese culture, the head is considered a very important part of the human body and is well protected, especially on babies. Children's hats depict different creatures and...
China; China -- History -- Han dynasty, 202 B.C.-220 A.D.; Lions; Lions in art; Sculpture
Chinese lions may not look much like actual lions from Africa, but they share many characteristics with mythical lions found in folklore traditions around the world. According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck,...
Indians of North America; Pueblo Indians; Pueblo Indians -- Social life and customs; Clay figurines -- Southwest, New; Storytellers in art; Pueblo pottery
Clay figures have been present in the Pueblo culture since 400 A.D. Female figures, animals, birds and more recently the storyteller figure have been part of their tradition. The “singing mother” with several children sitting on her lap was...
Coral reefs are an amazing part of the world’s ecosystem, providing a home for more than a quarter of all sea life. Thousands of different species rely on reefs for survival and many communities all over the world also depend on coral reefs for...
Toys; Dolls; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865; Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Dressed as a general of the United Sates Army, this doll celebrates the life of the 18th United States President Ulysses S. Grant. During the Civil War, Grant gained national attention as the general-in-chief of all Union armies. His clever...
