The human beings depicted in the rock art at both Kejimkujik and McGowan Lake include both Mi'kmaw men and women, and Mi'kmaw depictions of Europeans. One can see some evidence of traditional costume, worn before the arrival of Europeans. This would include loincloth, leggings, belt and moccasins, for adults of either sex and for children.
| All persons, regardless of age or gender, wore warm robes of beaver fur draped like blankets over the shoulders, to keep warm in winter. In addition to robes, women wore dresses, which hung to slightly below the knees. The illustration at right shows a woman in leggings and short dress, an eighteenth-century style that would change during the Victorian era, when the dress dropped down to the waist, creating an ankle-length skirt. |
|
 Mi'kmaw woman in large beaver hat |
After the arrival of Europeans in the 1500s, trade goods of wool and linen began to replace leather and fur as the raw materials of Mi'kmaw clothing. Mi'kmaw men traded beaver furs for these goods. The furs were felted and made into top hats in Europe. These were traded with the Mi'kmaq for more beaver furs. A number of top hats and smaller felt hats are depicted in the petroglyphs. Mi'kmaw artists also drew Europeans, with quite a good eye for their clothing. |
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