Chippewa Widow Print

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.