Sioux Lakota Headress

Sioux Lakota Indianist headdress from the 70s Laffaille collection 30 immature female eagle feathers (larger) aquila Chrysaetos coated at the base with red military felt and filled with eagle down held by cavalry cotton elements, (US cavalry blanket). This type of fabric was used to make the clothes of the Oglala Sioux chief Red Cloud, as can be seen in several period photos, notably with Buffalo Bill during the "Wild West Show", circa 1885 deer leather bonnet, ermine pendants and beaded bands porcupine headband edged with bells each feather ends with a fur circle and human hair warrior headdress of the Plains Indians, Sioux Lakota, The 19th century adornments include beaded decorations, they are mounted on leather bonnets. Towards the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the adornments were then mounted on felt caps. The headress transmits the power of the eagle to the head of the one who wears it. The making of a headdress gave rise to many ceremonies and songs celebrating the valor of the warrior for whom it was intended. Once completed, it constituted a trophy recalling the victories of its owner and of the entire tribe. Eagle feather headdresses were worn by the bravest men of the tribes, each eagle feather in fact representing a feat of bravery. Among the Sioux, the warriors who wore these headdresses were members of the Akichita society, a sort of elite club. This headdress was invested with supernatural powers that protected its wearer during battles. This headdress was worn only by great chiefs because eagle feathers are a symbol of wisdom and power. Eagles are considered a bird close to the creator, a link between heaven and earth. The eagle is associated with visions and spirits, it leads thoughts to the great spirit. The eagle is attributed great powers that one appropriates by wearing its feathers. By using the ascending currents it can fly well above other birds. In addition, its field of vision is very wide: it sees at an immense distance thanks to a field of vision between 35 and 50 °. The trade of eagle feathers is prohibited in North America, this large bird like all birds of prey elsewhere are protected. Only Native Americans have the right to possess them, and this under certain conditions because the eagle feather is an integral part of their culture. The eagle feather is an inseparable and indispensable ritual accessory, it is also used during religious ceremonies. Of course, the eagle cannot be hunted. The possession of eagle feathers by non-native people is strictly prohibited. Having an eagle feather, for example a feather stuck in your hat, is a federal offense in the USA. It is therefore illegal to trade in Native American feather ornaments or feather bonnets made of real eagle feathers. Eagle feather ornaments are the most popular ornaments in North America. They are so popular that in the United States, only Native Americans are allowed to own eagle feathers, as these ornaments are considered essential to maintaining their culture, while eagles are strictly protected species. These ornaments can be very simple, made of a single feather, or very complex, like those of the Sioux or the Arapaho. They were used both in war and during religious councils and ceremonies. It seems that the first North American Indians to have used complex ornaments were the Crows. The Blackfeet adopted them in the early 19th century, but their eagle feathers are raised circularly and vertically all around the head. The Pawnee chief named Petalesharo wore one in 1821, the Cheyenne around 1830 at least, and the Sioux in the mid-19th century. These headdresses are still used at Pow Wows. Some traditional headdresses are also fitted with buffalo horns. From the 1920s, George Catlin, an "Indian" portraitist, was an important source of information on the traditional clothing customs of North American Indians. The most common headdress had 28 (a sacred number like the 28-day cycle of the moon or the 28 ribs of the buffalo) to 32 golden eagle feathers. These feathers were mounted around a good, circle-shaped headdress. The oldest Blackfoot and Cheyenne headdresses were once mounted
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