What was coureur de bois lifestyle?
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Coureurs des bois were itinerant, unlicenced fur traders from New France. They were known as “wood-runners” to the English on Hudson Bay and “bush-lopers” to the Anglo-Dutch of New York.
What kind of life did the voyageurs and coureurs des bois have?
Today, the word voyageur, like the term coureur des bois, evokes the romantic image of men canoeing across the continent in search of furs. Their life was full of perilous adventure, gruelling work and cheerful camaraderie. But the fur trade changed once again in the 19th century.
What food did the coureur des bois eat?
What did the Coureurs des bois eat? The Coureurs des Bois ate fish, pemmican, rubaboo, pork, etc. If they didn’t find anything to eat, they would have to make a black soup made of moss that comes from rocks.
What did French fur traders wear?
Voyageurs could be identified by their distinctive clothing. They often wore a red toque and a sash around their waist. The white cotton shirt was protection from the sun and mosquitoes. They also wore breeches with leggings and moccasins.
What is the difference between a coureur de bois and a voyageur?
What is the difference between the coureurs des bois and the voyageurs? The coureurs des bois were active during the French Regime. They were small businessmen trapping fur animals and trading. The voyageurs, for their part, were hired hands.
What physical characteristics did the voyageur have?
What did fur traders eat?
The food also had to keep and not spoil during the long journey. Their diet included biscuits, pork and beans, pancakes, dried peas, cornmeal and pemmican (dried meat that could be eaten fried, or even made into a stew seasoned with maple syrup or berries). Voyageurs didn’t eat fancy meals, but the meals were hearty.
How much did a voyageur carry?
How Much Did the Voyageur Carry? The canoe carried 65 bundles of goods to trade as well as food for the trip, their personal belongings, an axe, a kettle, and material to repair the canoe. The canoe itself weighed 300 lbs (136 kg) adding to the weight the voyageurs carried over a portage.