THE PLAINS FEATHERED HEADDRESS | WAR BONNET

His hair was thought to be the extension of his soul. He added items of personal medicine & other ornaments, topped off with a breath taking headdress. The headdress, however, was more-than an ornament. Like all other things worn by the Plains Indian, it had very special meaning and significance. It was also an expression of his beliefs. It was believed that one acquired the powers of other animals, birds & objects by wearing or carrying these items. From them he was able to gather added wisdom, insight & incorporate them into his daily life.

There are four types of headdress worn by warriors of the Plains - the horned headdress, the eagle feather headdress, the hat or cap, & the animal skin type

This 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, meaning that the warrior was at the very front of the fighting. Feathers were notched & decorated to designate an event & told individual stories such as killing, scalping, capturing an enemy's weapon & shield, & whether the deed had been done on horseback or on foot.

A chief's war bonnet | headdress is comprised of feathers received for good deeds to his community & is worn in high honor.