photo #8512343

The use of headdress, like many other aspects of Native American Indian culture, is misunderstood by most people? The full feathered war bonnets, made famous by Hollywood movies, were historically worn by many of the Great Plains tribes including the Cheyenne and Sioux. In the late 19th century Native Americans from other regions began wearing them to attract tourist who generally expected American Indians to wear this type of headdress. Only Native American men, chiefs and warriors, wore war bonnets (a type of headdress) even though women were sometimes warriors and even chiefs. War bonnets were seldom worn in battle; they could be uncomfortable during battle and were generally just worn during ceremonies. War Bonnets always had feathers and were often intricately decorated with beads and animal skins. The more feathers on the headdress the braver the Indian wearing it was supposed to be; each feather was given for an act of bravery. The feathers of Golden Eagles were used frequently to make war bonnets