Who was allowed to wear feathered bonnets and what did they signify?
Ken Sellers
Evant, Texas
Warriors were awarded feathers as the tribe’s acknowledgment of acts of bravery and honor—much like ribbons worn on military dress uniforms today. The meanings of individual feathers range from taking a scalp to counting coup (touching an enemy in battle) to capturing an enemy to being a battle leader to being wounded in battle.
– Library of Congress –
Marshall Trimble is Arizona’s official historian and vice president of the Wild West History Association. His latest book is Arizona Outlaws and Lawmen; The History Press, 2015. If you have a question, write: Ask the Marshall, P.O. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 or email him at marshall.trimble@scottsdalecc.edu.
Related Articles
-
Who was allowed to wear feathered bonnets and what did they signify? Ken Sellers Evant,…
-
Why did pioneers wear dusters? Bill Dunn High River, Alberta, Canada Full-length canvas or linen…
-
Did Old West cowboys really wear bib shirts? Barbara Young Little Rock, Arkansas Bib shirts…
