{{Short description|Type of traditional footwear of many indigenous peoples of North America}} {{Other uses}}
thumb|Contemporary moccasins
A '''moccasin''' ({{ipac-en|ˈ|m|ɒ|k|ə|s|ɪ|n}} {{respell|MOCK|ə|sin}}) is a shoe, made of deerskin or other soft leather,<ref name=EB1911>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Moccasin |volume=18 |page=637}}</ref> consisting of a sole (made with leather that has not been "worked") and sides made of one piece of leather,<ref name=EB1911/> stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a vamp (additional panel of leather). The sole is soft and flexible and the upper part often is adorned with embroidery or beading.<ref name=EB1911/> Though sometimes worn inside, it is chiefly intended for outdoor use.
Historically, it is the footwear of many indigenous people of North America; moreover, hunters, traders, and European settlers wore them.<ref name="EB1911" /> Etymologically, ''moccasin'' derives from the Powhatan word ''makasin'' (cognate to Massachusett ''mohkisson'' / ''mokussin'', Ojibwa ''makizin'', Mi'kmaq ''mksɨn''),<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.yourdictionary.com/moccasin|title=moccasin|encyclopedia=YourDictionary.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=moccasin|title=moccasin|encyclopedia=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref> and from the Proto-Algonquian word *''maxkeseni'' (shoe).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moccasin|title=Moccasin|encyclopedia=Dictionary.com|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref>
==History==
In the 1800s, moccasins usually were part of a Canadian regalia, e.g. a powwow suit of clothes. The most common style is that of the Plains Indians moccasin.
Moccasins protect the foot while allowing the wearer to feel the ground. The Plains Indians wore hard-sole moccasins, given that their territorial geography featured rock and cacti. The eastern Indian tribes wore soft-sole moccasins, for walking in leaf-covered forest ground. <gallery mode="nolines" widths="200" heights="200"> File:Osage (Native American). Pair of Moccasins, early 20th century.jpg|Osage (Native American). Pair of Moccasins, early 20th century. Brooklyn Museum File:Soft moccasin.jpg|A soft-soled moccasin </gallery> == Contemporary use ==
In New Zealand and Australia, sheep shearers' moccasins are constructed of a synthetic, cream-colored felt, with a back seam and gathered at the top of the rounded toe. These moccasins are laced in the front, and the lacing is covered with a flap fastened with a buckle at the shoe's outer side. The fastener arrangement prevents the shearer's handpiece comb from catching in the laces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=158222&search=Working+life&images=&c=&s=1|title=97/311/1 Shearing moccasins (pair), mens, synthetic felt, Australia, 1997 - Powerhouse Museum Collection|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> Shearers' moccasins protect the feet, grip wooden floors well, and absorb sweat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/sheep/10042.html |title=Sheep parasites. Management of body lice | first1=Ken| last1=Wilson| first2=Bob| last2=Armstrong |publisher=Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland |access-date=2008-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202084159/http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/sheep/10042.html |archive-date=2008-12-02 }}</ref>
The word ''moccasin'' can also denote a shoe of deer leather adorned with laces.
===Driving moccasins=== A ''driving moccasin'' (driving moc) is a contemporary version of the traditional Native American moccasin with the addition of rubber tabs on the sole. The addition of rubber-pad sole adds to the versatility and longevity of the shoe while maintaining the flexibility and comfort of a traditional moccasin. They were invented for men who wanted extra grip while driving.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-rules-of-wearing-driving-shoes-summer-footwear|title=The Rules of Wearing Driving Shoes|last=Gustashaw|first=Megan|date=2016-06-05|work=GQ|access-date=2018-02-21|language=en}}</ref> There are two variations of the sole, including: *''Rubber-dotted'' - These have a uniform covering of small, round rubber pads. * ''Separated Pad'' - These have larger, flat rubber pads separated by only small areas.
=== Work boot moccasins === Moc Toe Boots, commonly referred as a "Moc Toe", the boots are normally combined with hard rubber compounded soles. The moccasin toe work boot is a style that reflects the Native American moccasin. Normally by weld stitching two pieces of leather or fabric, the pattern creates a U-shaped design around the toe box.
== Gallery == <gallery mode="nolines"> File:Hopi Pueblo (Native American). Dancing Shoes, late 19th century.jpg|'''Hopi Pueblo (Native American)'''. ''Dancing Shoes'', late 19th century. Brooklyn Museum File:Beadedmoccasins.jpg|Beaded moccasins original to the estate of Chief Washakie, Wind River Reservation (Shoshone), Wyoming, c.1900 File:Crow beaded moccasins from around 1940.JPG|Crow moccasins, ca. 1940 File:Mocasines cheyennes.JPG|Cheyenne moccasins File:WLA brooklynmuseum Kiowa moccasins.jpg|Kiowa moccasins File:Shearers moccasins.JPG|Shearers' moccasins on a wool rolling table. </gallery>
==See also== *List of shoe styles *List of boots *Slip-on shoe *Opanci, a type of peasant shoe from Southeastern Europe *Abarka, traditional leather shoe from Pyrenees *Walking With Our Sisters, a commemorative art installation of over 1,763 moccasin vamps
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wiktionary}} {{Commons category|Moccasins}}
*[http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/aborig/mocasin/mocrune.shtml The Canadian Museum of Civilization – Moccasins] *[https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/search/moccasins/results Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – Moccasins] *[http://www.nativetech.org/seminole/moccasins/index.php Creek – Seminole moccasins]
{{Footwear}} {{Authority control}}
Category:First Nations culture in Canada Category:Native American clothing Category:Shoes Category:Folk footwear