Regardless of where or how an Indian Brave accumulated feathers,
he was not allowed, according to Tribal law, to wear them until
he won them by a brave deed. He had to appear before the Tribal
council and tell or reenact his exploit. Witnesses were examined
and if in the eyes of the council the deed was thought worthy,
the Indian brave was then allowed to wear the feathers in his
hair or Indian Headdress or in the Indian War bonnets.
Sometimes a tuft of horsehair was added to the tip of a feather
to designate additional honor. Coup Feathers (pronounced "coo")
of the Native American Indian can be compared to campaign ribbons
or medals awarded to our modern soldiers. An Indian would rather
part with his horse, tepee or even his wife, than to loose
his eagle feathers. To do so would be dishonor in the eyes
of the Tribe. Many of the old Native American Indian Chiefs
had won enough honors to wear a double-trailed bonnet that
dragged the ground. Only the great and important men of the
Tribes had the right to wear the doubled-trailed Indian war
bonnets. |
