More Primitive Skins from the Stone Age

An albumen print titled "A Kakur"contained in The People of India, Volume Six depicts a man draped in a bear skin posteen. A second image titled "Afghan Horse Dealers" from the same collection shows three men, two with sheepskin or bear skin posteens over their shoulders. Recently in the post on this blog Primitive Skins from the Stone Age Part 4, the use of these covers was discussed. "They are used as covers during the night or even folded on the shoulders when seated in either the tent or the house."

Dated 1868 these images are an early record of primitive skin posteens or covers in daily use in Afghanistan. Sunni Hazara Muslims have been mentioned in connection with the two piece shaggy rugs from Central and West Afghanistan. The Kakur and Afghan Horse Dealers are noted here as "Soonnee Mussulmans".

Images contained within the collection: The People of India, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.  "A Kakur" Local number: PoI6.322  "Afghan Horse Dealers" Local number: PoI6.332

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