Lightfeather Native American Regalia

Lightfeather Lectures
& Art



REGALIA

Everything on Regalia has a purpose and a meaning.

Starting at the Head Piece. War Bonnet made from Eagle feathers and hood beaded band. Only higher ups like Chiefs and War Chiefs were to wear these. If in time of war the people of the village could always tell where the chief was (by the War Bonnet on his head). The War Bonnet was trimmed with white Erman. The Black Feet believed the Erman was closest to man as it had five toes. Women would wear the Erman in their hair, and men decorated Regalia with them.

Choker around neck.
The purpose was to protect the neck. It is made out of bone and tied with sinu with leather spacers. If an enemy would approach from the rear and tried to cut the throat, the blade could not penetrate the leather spacers. Today they are worn as decoration and in honor of the ancestors. Breastplates were also used and of course, could not stop a bullet, but might repel an arrow.

Sinu was provided from the Buffalo. It was the back leg tendon and was very tuff. It would be dried and then pounded or chewed to make it pliable as a thread. It is stronger than anything today. Bone would also be strung on the Sinu and spacers would be place and tied.

Medicine bag.
Four elements would be put in medicine bag. Earth-dirt, Air-Fluff feather, Fire-flint, Water-pebble. All contents of medicine bags are personal. No one knows but you and the person that gave it to you. This has always been and always will be. It would be your personal medicine and worn to make you feel good.

War Shirt.
White deer hide which is for ceremonial wear. The fringe was made wet and then twisted to lock the spirit of the animal in. this was done in honor of the animal for the clothes he provided. The shirt would have beading in the Nations colors and again white Erman (Black Foot). The beads on the war shirt all had a purpose and meaning. White represents Clouds and Purity. Blue-sky or water. Red-The Fire of Life. Black-To represent Death. Horse hair was also worn on the war shirt but you had to earn the right to wear it. Earning the right was accomplished through being a warrior in a battle or war situation.

Leggings.
The Leggings also had fringe twisted and mustang stripes were to say how fast their horse could run or the man could run. A breach clouth was made of trade cloth or leather and was to cover the private parts of the man.

Moccasins.
The Moccasins were hand beaded by the women and took many hours to make. The men would cut the pattern from skins and could be Elk, Buffalo or Deer hide.

Music Used by Kind Permission of Jeff Ball

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REGALIA