Parfleche

A parfleche (also spelled parfleche) is a rawhide container of varying size and shape used by Native American tribes, particularly those of the Great Plains, Interior Plateau, and Great Basin. The word is of French origin, derived from parer (to deflect) and flèche (arrow), reflecting the rawhide's earlier use as shield covering.

Parfleches were typically made from bison, elk, or deer hide that was stretched, scraped thin, and then dried. After drying, the hide was folded into an envelope or box-like shape and stitched or laced together along the edges. The seams were often located on the sides of the folded container.

Parfleches served a variety of practical purposes. They were used to store and transport dried food (such as pemmican, dried berries, and meat), clothing, tools, and other personal belongings. Their durable construction made them suitable for travel and life on the move. They were often brightly painted with geometric designs, animal representations, or other symbolic motifs, often using pigments derived from plants, minerals, and earth. The designs often held cultural significance or indicated the owner’s identity or status. The creation and decoration of parfleches were traditionally women's work.