# Moccasin
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{{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](/source/shoe), made of [deer](/source/deer)skin or other soft leather,[{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Moccasin |volume=18 |page=637}}] consisting of a sole (made with [leather](/source/leather) that has not been "worked") and sides made of one piece of leather,[ stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a [vamp](/source/vamp_(shoe)) (additional panel of leather). The [sole](/source/Sole_(shoe)) is soft and flexible and the upper part often is adorned with embroidery or beading.][ Though sometimes worn inside, it is chiefly intended for outdoor use.
Historically, it is the footwear of many indigenous people of [North America](/source/North_American_Indians); moreover, hunters, traders, and European settlers wore them.][{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.yourdictionary.com/moccasin|title=moccasin|encyclopedia=YourDictionary.com}}][{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=moccasin|title=moccasin|encyclopedia=Online Etymology Dictionary}}] and from the [Proto-Algonquian](/source/Proto-Algonquian) word *''maxkeseni'' (shoe).[{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moccasin|title=Moccasin|encyclopedia=Dictionary.com|access-date=7 October 2014}}]
==History==
In the 1800s, moccasins usually were part of a Canadian regalia, e.g. a [powwow](/source/powwow) suit of clothes. The most common style is that of the [Plains Indians](/source/Plains_Indians) moccasin.
Moccasins protect the foot while allowing the wearer to feel the ground. The [Plains Indians](/source/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.
File:Osage (Native American). Pair of Moccasins, early 20th century.jpg|[Osage](/source/Osage_Nation) (Native American). Pair of Moccasins, early 20th century. [Brooklyn Museum](/source/Brooklyn_Museum)
File:Soft moccasin.jpg|A soft-soled moccasin
== Contemporary use ==
In [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) and [Australia](/source/Australia), [sheep shearer](/source/sheep_shearer)s' moccasins are constructed of a synthetic, cream-colored [felt](/source/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](/source/buckle) at the shoe's outer side. The fastener arrangement prevents the shearer's handpiece comb from catching in the laces.[{{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}}] Shearers' moccasins protect the feet, grip wooden floors well, and absorb sweat.[{{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 }}]
The word ''moccasin'' can also denote a shoe of deer [leather](/source/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.[{{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}}] 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](/source/Work_boots) 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](/source/toe_box).
== Gallery ==
File:Hopi Pueblo (Native American). Dancing Shoes, late 19th century.jpg|'''[Hopi](/source/Hopi) [Pueblo](/source/Pueblo) (Native American)'''. ''Dancing Shoes'', late 19th century. [Brooklyn Museum](/source/Brooklyn_Museum)
File:Beadedmoccasins.jpg|Beaded moccasins original to the estate of [Chief Washakie](/source/Chief_Washakie), [Wind River Reservation](/source/Wind_River_Reservation) ([Shoshone](/source/Shoshone)), [Wyoming](/source/Wyoming), c.1900
File:Crow beaded moccasins from around 1940.JPG|[Crow](/source/Crow_Nation) moccasins, ca. 1940
File:Mocasines cheyennes.JPG|[Cheyenne](/source/Cheyenne_people) moccasins
File:WLA brooklynmuseum Kiowa moccasins.jpg|[Kiowa](/source/Kiowa_people) moccasins
File:Shearers moccasins.JPG|Shearers' moccasins on a wool rolling table.
==See also==
*[List of shoe styles](/source/List_of_shoe_styles)
*[List of boots](/source/List_of_boots)
*[Slip-on shoe](/source/Slip-on_shoe)
*[Opanci](/source/Opanak), a type of peasant shoe from Southeastern Europe
*[Abarka](/source/Abarka), traditional leather shoe from Pyrenees
*[Walking With Our Sisters](/source/Walking_With_Our_Sisters), a commemorative [art installation](/source/art_installation) of over 1,763 moccasin [vamps](/source/Shoe)
== 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
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Moccasin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moccasin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moccasin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.