DCHP-3

wampum belt†

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a belt of wampum (def. 1), often worked in significant designs, used by Indians as a reminder of a treaty or agreement, etc.

See: wampum(def. 1 and 2)

Quotations

1765-75
As I Aprocht . . . I Perseaved . . . Sum Pa[i]nted Dogs and also a Grate Number of Wampam Belts with a Number of Silver Braslets and Other Articels in the Indan way.
1845
From his wampum belt he took a roll of the bark of the birch tree. . . .
1934
This was confirmed by the presentation of a beaded wampum belt upon which the ideas conveyed in the speech were depicted in minute figures, a black band across the background representing the cloud which had temporarily marred the relationship between the Indians and the Company.