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HEADDRESSES PLAINS INDIANS |
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ANIMAL'S SKIN HEADDRESSES | |||||
The fourth type of head covering in use on the Plains was the skins of animals in their natural form. Some of the societies, whose vision helpers were powerful animals such as the buffalo, would make ahead and back covering of the long hair and skin taken from the buffalo' s brow. The horns were then attached to the gracefully formed headpiece, and the completed head covering was worn at society functions---and sometimes to war. Bear Cult members often made head coverings of entire bear heads, wearing these in accordance with the ways they had seen them in their visions. The wolf was a superb hunter, and on the other hand very difficult to catch. Therefore, his skin became the ideal covering for scouts serving as lookouts for raid and war parties. Ordinarily, the Indians did not line their animal head coverings with trade cloth. |
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PICTURES OF ANIMAL'S SKIN HEADDRESSES | |||||
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Left, grizzly bear headdress with head worn upright and complete bear's body hide left attached. Right, grizzly bear headdress worn by Bear Cult member in more traditional fashion. Thomas E. Mails, Mystic Warriors of the Plains |
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Left, wolf, front view. Right, timber wolf, side view. Animal headdresses like these were usually, though not always, held on with straps which tied under the chin. Thomas E. Mails, Mystic Warriors of the Plains |
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Left, buffalo hair headdress taken from hump of animal, front view. Right, side view. Thomas E. Mails, Mystic Warriors of the Plains |
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NEXT- Storage of Headdresses |
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