If you are like me then you love the the style of an eagle feathered warbonnet or headdress, but maybe you do not know the sacred meaning behind the warbonnet. Of course, because I am Eagle Spirit I cannot keep my eyes off anything with eagles, so if I see a headdress or staff that has eagle feathers they have my full attention.
Most of us have seen movies where a famous celebrity or model was wearing a headdress, much to the dismay of many Native Americans. More than likely, these celebrities wore fake eagle feathers since it is illegal to own an eagle feather in North America. The only people allowed to own an authentic eagle feather is a member of the First Nation. This writing will hopefully clarify a few facts, and instill the respect every First Nation person has for a headdress. As with all tribal nations, mostly every detail has meaning. So let us learn more about where the warbonnet came from.
History
The Sioux tribe was the first ones in the United States to have worn the full fledged warbonnet, but most tribes did not use feathers in their headdresses.
In fact, warbonnets were only worn by the tribes found in the Great Plains. Those tribes were the Sioux, Crow, Blackfeet, Cheyenne and Cree. In many historical photographs the eagle feathers are descending in a long tail all the way to the ground. Another style is when Crow elders attend formal events and the warbonnet is shaped in a halo with eagle feathers fanned out around the face. The Blackfeet are known to wear a headdress with eagle feathers that stand straight up. All warbonnets are made from golden eagle tail feathers and each feather is earned by an act of bravery.
At times, an eagle feather may be painted red to commemorate a specific deed. The Plains Indians warbonnets decorate their headdresses with ermine and beadwork.
Principles
Unfortunately, as with everything there are rules to warbonnets. According to the First Nation culture, the headdress is used only for ceremony and worn only by chiefs and warriors. Only men are allowed to wear a Native American warbonnet. Women who are chiefs do not wear a warbonnet out of respect for the men of the tribe. Men rarely wore warbonnets while fighting, and often wore roach headdresses into battle. Specifically, the headdresses with long tails would not be easy to fight in on the battlefield.
During the 1800's, America started to see a rise of warbonnets being worn as it became a fashion statement, or a symbol of authority amongst the First Nation. The Plains tribes continued to wear feather warbonnets as a sacred display of honor and courage, with each feather telling a story. To this day, eagle feathers are awarded to those who serve the military or those who performed brave deeds.
Controversy
Lately we have seen an outcry by Native Americans against celebrities and people during holidays or festivals wearing headdresses. The reasons are these:
It is a sign of disrespect since Native American men only wear a headdress.
The headdress is a symbol of earning status within the tribe, so anyone outside the tribe wearing this symbol is an insult.
If you know and do not care about being disrespectful, then do not be surprised if you have a very angry Native American confronting you. (Personally, I would not want an angry chief in my face.)
Ignorance is not a valid reason to wear a warbonnet, it is a reasonable request to not wear sacred symbols when you are not a part of the culture.
We find people do not ask, so if you are not sure of what is unacceptable simply ask someone who is part of the culture. We are happy to explain. I am half Native American, so feel free to ask!
If you are thinking of wearing a headdress anytime in the future I urge you to think twice. Find the respect for a nation that finds a headdress to be a symbol of respect and honor, and only worn by people within the tribe. Peace.
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