How did we get into purses? (A brief history part 1)

Men and women have used purses for as long as human memories have been recorded. We needed some way to carry basic belongings once we began to hunt, travel far distances, use tools, and believe in a power higher than ourselves.  

The first purses were in fact pouches made of leather, cloth, or some form of weaved mesh which hung at the end of a stick or was fastened at the waist. It was used to carry the bare essentials for survival such as flint stones, morsels of food, seeds, and bones or trinkets as protective charms. 

The use of a pouch varied by culture and status. Peasants used them to carry seeds. African priests used them to carry their magical items. A normal African man would not dare open a priest's bag in fear of the supernatural forces that lay within. This reminds me how men these days won't dare to open a woman's purse out of fear of what will happen to them!

High society woman never carried money since purchases and financial matters were handled by the man of the household. They also never carried any household items related to maintaining a home since those tasks were delegated to servants or slaves.   

The first appearance of a pouch is on an Egyptian hieroglyph. The next documented appearance is on a 14th century European embroidery. Purses often showed social status based on the quality of the bag and it's ornate embroidery.

Purses were worn equally by men and women. According to "Carried Away", men used to give women purses as a traditional wedding gift in the 15th century. These bags were typically embroidered and much fancier than a pouch. Men would typically carry their purse/pouch attached to the waist band and women typically carries them under their skirts (attached to a waist band or the corset). 

One article I read described how both men and women carried large knit bags in Papua New Guinea. These bags are decorated with feathers, seashells, and other ornaments. The people who wear them are not living on the seashore, the live on the mountains.  The more seashells you have the more important person you are because you have a lot of social relationships and all your friends are willing to give shells to you! 

 ..... to be continued