Umbilical Cord Case

At birth, a Plains Indian child’s umbilical cord is kept and dried after it falls off. The mother would sew a small bag, sometimes uniquely shaped like a lizard or turtle, and place the umbilical cord in it. This amulet was attached to the baby’s cradleboard as its first toy, and later worn around the child’s neck. As the child grew older, it would be attached to a piece of their best clothing. A person’s umbilical cord was kept for a lifetime as a charm to ensure longevity, representing a link between the child’s existence before birth, and life after birth. This case was constructed of native buckskin, and decorated with glass beads. The metal tinklers are attached at each end with orange dyed horsehair.