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Posted on 10.05.2016, 23.05.2016, 27.10.2017
When the average person think of an American Indian man, he usually pictures him as wearing a large eagle feather war bonnet. This stereotype has become so widespread that nowadays even the Indians themselves have taken it up, and members of tribes who never used the headgear in aboriginal times now wear it on occasions when white people expect them to "look like Indians". Much confusion exists, even among anthropologists, as to the symbolism, use and distribution of the various types of feathered bonnets worn by the Plains Indians.
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Native American tribes consider the presentation of an eagle feather to be one of their highest marks of respect. Any honored person must have earned their feather through selfless acts of courage and honour, or been gifted them in gratitude for their work or service to their tribe. The esteem attached to eagle feathers was so high that in many cases, such as a warrior (e.g. Dog Soldiers of the Cheyenne), only two or three honour feathers might be awarded in their whole lifetime. Roman Nose, one of the most influential Cheyenne warriors, was known for his illustrious warbonnet that was said to protect him during battle.
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Plains Indians normally use eagle feathers as the most significant part of the bonnet to represent honor and respect. Some Plains-style bonnet forms are the "horned" bonnet, "flaring" eagle feather bonnet, and the "fluttering feather" bonnet. The "horned" bonnet can consist of a buckskin skull cap, shaved bison or cow horns, and dyed horsehair with bunches of owl feathers beneath the skull cap. The "flaring" eagle feather bonnet is often made of golden eagle tail feathers connected to a buckskin or felt crown. There are slits at the base of the crown that allow the bonnet to have a "flaring" look.
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