REPLICA OF Catalogue No. E357469 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
custom made for a collector in the States
PLAINS FEATHERED HEADDRESS
His hair was thought to be the extension of his soul. He added items of personal medicine and other ornaments, topped off with a breath taking headdress. The headdress, however, was more-than an ornament. It like all other things he used and wore - had special meaning and significance. It was also an expression of his beliefs. It was believed that one acquired the powers of other animals, birds and objects by wearing or carrying these items. From them he was able to gather added wisdom and insight and incorporate them into his daily life.
There are four types of headdress worn by warriors of the Plains - the horned headdress, the golden eagle feather headdress, the hat or cap, and the animal skin type
The bonnet had to be earned through brave deeds in battle because the feathers signified the deeds themselves. Some warriors might obtain only two or three honor feathers in their whole lifetime, so they were difficult to earn. The bonnet was also a mark of highest respect because it could never be worn without the consent of the leaders of the tribe. For example, A high honor was received by the warrior who was the first to touch an enemy fallen in battle, for this meant the warrior was at the very front of fighting. Feathers were notched and decorated to designate an event and told individual stories such as killing, scalping, capturing an enemy's weapon and shield, and whether the deed had been done on horseback or foot.
A chief's war bonnet is comprised of feathers received for good deeds to his community and is worn in high honor. Each feather would represent a good deed.
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