Moccasins

(derived from the Algonkian Indian language), soft leather footwear worn by North American Indians. Moccasins were worn among all Indian tribes with the exception of the Indians in California and along the rest of the Pacific coast. Two types of moccasins were prevalent: one type, which resembled leggings, was cut out of one or three pieces of soft leather; the other type had a hard rawhide sole and a soft piece of leather lying on top of the foot. Moccasins were usually decorated with porcupine quills or beads.