The tumpline, also called a burden strap, was used by natives to carry items and to drag loads. There are a reasonable number of northern tumplines in collections in the US, Canada, and Europe. From written descriptions and a few images, most notably one of von Reck’s images (Hvidt, Kristian, ed. Von Reck’s Voyage; Drawings and Journal of Philip Georg Friedrich von Reck. Savannah, GA: Beehive Press, 1990) – available here, it’s apparent that similar items were being used in the south.
The existing tumplines with native provenance seem to have all been twined in the browband (center section), fingerwoven on the straps, and either fingerwoven or plaited (braided) on the ties themselves. They were constructed of the common cordage materials available in the area: basswood, elm, mulberry, “indian hemp” cordage. The latter are probably the more common southeastern materials.
From what I’ve been able to find, most of the straps in collections are embroidered and even beaded. I assume they were collected because they are ornate and truly beautiful works of art. See the examples in the links below for a better idea of what I mean.
I tend to think that there were undecorated straps in use, though I don’t have much evidence except for a few paintings (the one by von Reck mentioned above, for example)
I spent months trying to figure out how to do the three things required for a tumpline correctly: twining, oblique fingerweaving, and plaiting. As far as I can tell, there aren’t any instructions on the web or in print telling you how to do either a correct twined strap. If anyone finds one, please post the URL or reference. I’ve posted some information and links, along with a book or two worth reading about these skills in a couple of articles here and here.
Tara Prindle, on her Native Tech site, has posted information on twining, specifically as it relates to false embroidery on twined items. You should read the instructions here just to understand the complexity of the process. It allows you to appreciate the cost of reproduction items.
The following are links to images or information on tumplines collected in the Northeastern and Great Lakes areas of North America. My emphasis in collecting these links was on images and descriptions rather than the period they were created.
Other styles of tumpline:
- A Metis leather tump from the virtual museum of Canada is pictured here
- For a description and analysis of tumpline use among the European/Colonial forces during the Seven Years (French and Indian) War, see Gary S. Zaboly, “The Use of Tumplines in the French and Indian Wars,” Military Collector Historian &, vol. XLVI, No.3 (Summer 1994), pp. 109-113. This reference comes from the 18th century New England Life webpage on carrying stuff There are a couple of drawings and simple instructions for some simple tumps on the Georgia Rangers site.
If you are looking for a native tumpline, here are couple of people I know of that make correct tumps (in alphabetical order). You can also check the Frontier Folk message boards here. If you make (or know someone who makes) an 18th century tumpline and would like to be listed, please contact me.
- Alec Fourman (email: pvtfourman AT yahoo.com)
- Nathan Kobuck
- Tom Conde: http://condetrading.com/