Scalping

 

 Saint-Sauveur (France, 1757-1810), Labrousse (France, Bordeaux, active late 18th century)

Title 

Costumes de Différents Pays, 'Guerrier Iroquois'

Description 

English:

France, circa 1797

Prints; engravings

Hand-tinted engraving on paper

From With Burgoyne From Quebec.

Scalping

 "Whenever they scalp, the seize the head of the disabled or dead enemy, and placing one of their feet on the neck, twist their left hand in the hair, by which means they extend the skin that covers the top of the head, and with the other hand draw their scalping knife from their breast, which is always kept in good order for this cruel purpose, a few dextrous strokes of which takes off the part that is termed the scalp; they are so exceedingly expeditious in doing this, that it scarcely exceeds a minute. If the hair is short, and they have no purchase with their hand, they stoop, and with their teeth strip it off; when they performed this part of their martial virtue as soon as time permits, they tie with bark or deer sinews their speaking trophies of blood in a small hoop, to preserve it from stupefaction, painting part of the scalp and the hoop all round with red. These they preserve as monuments of their prowess, and at the same time as proofs of the vengeance they have inflicted on their enemies."