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| Well, Tan My Hide | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 10 2006, 01:59 AM (101 Views) | |
| Loveandbeloved | Mar 10 2006, 01:59 AM Post #1 |
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Tanning a Hide The Kiowa way of tanning a Buffalo, Deer or Calf hide began almost immediately after the kill. The fresh hide is stretched and staked out on the ground. A tanning mixture is made from the liver and the brains of the skinned animal. To prepare the ingredients for use, mash about one-half pound of brains and one-half pound of liver together with four tablespoons of fat, and a small amount of water. Cook the mixture slowly for an hour. Then it will be ready for use. While the hide is staked on the ground, the cooked mixture of liver and brains is rubbed on the hide with a rag, first on one side then the other. With the hands and a smooth round stone, the mixture is spread evenly over the hide, the stakes should be withdrawn from the ground and the hide rolled or folded and left overnight to allow the tanning mixture to soak in. The next day it should be washed in cold water and dried. Since this will cause it to shrink and thicken, it must be pulled and stretched back into its original shape before graining. To grain the hide, its entire surface should be rubbed with a rough stone. Finally the hide should be worked back and forth with a see-saw movement through a loop of rope. The hide should be soaked in warm water overnight. In the morning stake it out on smooth ground, hair side down. The stakes should be driven about six inches apart and the hide stretched as tightly as possible. The hide will have pieces of flesh, fat, and tissue attatched to it. This is removed by scraping with a knife made of elk horn. If the hide dries and hardens while you are working, wet it with warm water. when the upper surface is clean and smooth, allow it to dry and bleach it in the sun for two days. The next step is to soak the hide again, the turn it over and stake it out with hair side up. The hair is scraped off in the same way as the flesh. If the hair does not come off easily, it will be necessary to resoak the hide in wood ashes and water. Mix the water and ashes in a bucket to a thick batter. Put the hide in this mixture and leave it to soak overnight. In the morning wash out every trace of the ashes and stake it out again. The hair can now be removed easily. Allow this side to dry and bleach in the sun for two days. Then the hide is ready for use. by Frank Wright (The Kiowa) |
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8:59 PM Jul 10