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Fur Turban
There are many old photographs of certain Omaha-Ponca Hethuska or Osage Inlonshka members wearing a turban of otter fur, or a turban of red fox fur.
Dr. James Howard states, “The otterskin hat, rather than the war bonnet, was the ‘chief’s’ headdress, while a similar headdress of fox fur marked the experienced warrior.” (Howard, 1965, p. 66) While in “The Omaha Tribe,” Fletcher and LaFlesche states, “The peculiar headgear shown in plates 36 and 49 (otter fur turbans), was worn only by chiefs; it bore the name watha’ge, which was applied to all caps which fit the head.” (Fletcher & LaFlesche, 1911, p. 354) The red fox fur turban was usually narrow and plain, giving the appearance of a large headband and were sometimes worn in combination to the hair roach. Sometimes these small turbans were also made from otter fur as well, depending on the tribe. In contrast, the highly decorated otter fur turbans however, “...was a wide band of otter fur which encircled the head like a crown. The top was left open, and if a warrior wished he could place an eagle feather in his scalplock and let it stick up through the cap. The tail of the otter was attached to the rear of the cap in such a way as to hang down the warrior’s back. Sometimes the edges of the cap and tail were beaded, and a tuft of dyed horsehair was appended to the end of the tail. Four round beaded targets were also attached to the wide band of the cap for decoration.”“While some of the southern tribes wore a slight variation of the cap just described, the hat most unique to the southeast had a huge hide triangle, with beaded or painted (or ribbon appliqué) symbols on it, which extended out to the left or right side of the wide headband.”...“Such hats were worn by the Pawnee, Ponca, Osage and Oto warriors.” (Mails, 1972, pp. 385-387) As already stated, the otter fur turbans were worn only by the Ponca chiefs or sub-chiefs and, “...a chief wore a downy eagle plume erect in a socket at the back of his otterskin hat.” (Howard, 1965, p. 66) Today, fur turbans are seldom seen among the Ponca Hethuska or the Osage Inlonshka members, though they seem to becoming more popular at pow-wows. According to an article written by Norman Feder titled “Otter Fur Turbans,” and published in a 1960 issue of American Indian Tradition, other tribes besides the Ponca and Osage had otter fur turbans including the Sauk & Fox, Iowa, Otoe, Missouri, Kaw, Pawnee, Omaha, Comanche, Kiowa, Menomini, Potowatomi and Quapaw. (Feder, 1960, p. 4) In addition, I have seen otter fur turbans used among some Southern Cheyenne, and Oklahoma Delaware as well. Lastly, in reference to otter fur turbans, Alanson Skinner states, “...the most valued variety is a fillet of dark otter fur. Not only does it present a handsome appearance, but the connection of the otter with the sacred rites and origin myth of the Medicine Dance society and it’s own supposed supernatural powers...” (Skinner, 1921, p. 109) It should be noted, that many tribes still follow traditions which are said to have certain guidelines associated with who is given the right to wear an otter fur turban, and what titles and obligations wearing one implies. Some examples from the past: http://www.littlecrowtradingpost.com/Ottercap.jpg Osage http://140.247.102.177/col/images/bi...2/45320080.jpg Kiowa http://www.nmai.si.edu/searchcollect...0x700.none.jpg Ho Chunk http://www.nmai.si.edu/searchcollect...09.700x700.jpg Man Chief - Pawnee - 1858 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_01280a.jpg The Chief Whom They Look Upon - Pawnee - no date http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_01308j.jpg Eagle Chief - Pawnee - 1905 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_01307.jpg Post Oak Jim (on right), and his brother – Comanche – 1895 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/xx3861.jpg Andrew Perd-a-sof-py - Comanche - no date http://photoswest.org/photos/10032126/10032224.jpg Nau-Nooh - Comanche - 1910 http://photoswest.org/photos/10032126/10032189.jpg Donald Big Cow and wife - Comanche - no date http://photoswest.org/photos/10032126/10032209.jpg Tuas-ye-ah, Quannah Parker's granddaughter, Alberta Clark, and Hunting Horse - Comanche - 1926 http://photoswest.org/photos/10032126/10032217.jpg Sitting In The Saddle - Kiowa - 1867 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/3912c/01163800.jpg Sitting In The Saddle - Kiowa - no date http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/3912b/01627900.jpg Running Bird - Kiowa - 1913 http://photoswest.org/photos/10032376/10032387.jpg Lone Chief, Standing Buffalo Bull, Iron Whip, Walks With Effort I - Ponca - 1858 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04232.jpg Black Crow - Ponca - 1877 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04193a.jpg Standing Bear - Ponca - 1881 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04175.jpg True Eagle - Otoe - 1868 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/xx3489.jpg Medicine Horse - Otoe - 1869 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03835b.jpg Standing Eating - Otoe - 1884 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03853a.jpg Far Away - Otoe - 1884 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03851a.jpg Makes A Noise - Otoe - 1884 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03850.jpg White Horse - Otoe - 1895 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/xx3681.jpg James Arkeketah - Otoe - no date http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/bell/06644200.jpg John Pipestem, Albert Green - Otoe - 1906 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03893.jpg Red Bear - Otoe - 1908 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03875a.jpg The White Cloud - Iowa - 1834 http://www.nga.gov/education/classro...whitecloud.jpg Black Hawk – Iowa – 1869 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03899.jpg Nag-A-Rash – Iowa – 1869 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03902b.jpg Buffalo Chief - Iowa - 1869 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03841b.jpg Pa-de-gi-he - Omaha - no date http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/cc0041.jpg The Chief - Omaha - no date http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/cc0044.jpg The Chief - Omaha - 1869 http://omahatribe.unl.edu/photos/185...G1289-20-6.jpg White Swan - Omaha - 1883 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/cc0200a.jpg Yellow Smoke - Omaha - 1883 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/cc0202a.jpg Standing Bear, (wife and daughter on left), Yellow Smoke, (wife and daughter on right) - Omaha - 1883 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/cc0199a.jpg Omaha man - 1902 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04781.jpg Omaha man - 1902 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04780.jpg Omaha men - 1907 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04029b.jpg Standing Bear - Omaha - 1909 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_03998.jpg Bear In The Fork Of A Tree - Sauk & Fox - 1858 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00653.jpg Rising Fish - Sauk & Fox - 1858 http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/gui.../images/61.jpg The Grey Fox - Sauk & Fox - 1858 http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/gui.../images/70.jpg Sauk & Fox men – 1866 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00692no2.jpg Che-Ko-Shuk - Sauk & Fox - 1868 http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/gui.../images/89.jpg Fish Floating to the Shore - Sauk & Fox - 1868 http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/gui.../images/91.jpg Po-Ga-Ha-Ma-We - Sauk & Fox - 1888 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00673a.jpg Po-Ga-Ha-Ma-We - Sauk & Fox - 1888 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00673b.jpg Cannot Do It - Sauk & Fox - 1890 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00667a.jpg Cannot Do It - Sauk & Fox - 1890 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00667b.jpg Nish-ke-kot with son and daughter - Sauk & Fox - 1895 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/cc0582.jpg Hard Thinker - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00651a.jpg Wam-Pash-Ka - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00648a.jpg Picking Up Something - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00677c.jpg Po-Ga-Ha-Ma-We - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00674a.jpg Po-Ga-Ha-Ma-We - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/bell/06642900.jpg Po-Ga-Ha-Ma-We - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00675.jpg Fish Rub Against Something - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00668a.jpg Fish Rub Against Something - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00668b.jpg Fish Rub Against Something - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/bell/06652900.jpg Fish Rub Against Something - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/bell/06652800.jpg Na-wat-ena, Po-ga-ha-ma-we, and Pi-pi-qua - Sauk & Fox - 1896 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/bell/06649700.jpg Push-E-To-Neke-Qua and Joe Tyson - Sauk & Fox - 1899 http://photoswest.org/photos/10032126/10032172.jpg Old Eye - Sauk & Fox - no date http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_00636a.jpg Pa-thin-non-pa-zhi – Osage – 1868 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04050b.jpg Non-pe-wa-the – Osage – 1868 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04051a.jpg Osage men – 1868 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04159c.jpg Reaches The Sky – Osage – 1877 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04053.jpg Henry Red Eagle and son - Osage - 1893 http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/xx3679.jpg Osage men - no date http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/c8304.jpg Osage men - no date http://www.cowanauctions.com/images/c8307.jpg Osage men - no date http://images.wisconsinhistory.org/7...10000493-l.jpg Playful Chief – Osage – 1900 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04060b.jpg Bacon Rind – Osage – 1900 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04130a.jpg Man Of Courage, Black Dog - Osage - 1904 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04140.jpg Bone Heart – Osage – 1906 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04122a.jpg Red Eagle – Osage – 1908 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04121a.jpg Comes Upon The Village - Osage - 1908 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04101a.jpg Playful Sun Carrier – Osage – 1908 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04133a.jpg Generous – Osage – 1911 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04110a.jpg Bacon Rind – Osage – 1916 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/baegn/gn_04132a.jpg Feder, Norman. 1960. Otter Fur Turbans. American Indian Tradition Newsletter, Vol. 7. Fletcher, Alice C. and Francis LaFlesche. 1911. The Omaha Tribe. Bureau of American Ethnology, 27th Annual Report 1905-06, Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Howard, Dr. James H. 1965. The Ponca Tribe. Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 195, Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Mails, Thomas E. 1972. The Mystic Warriors of the Plains. Garden City, New York: Doubleday. Meadows, William. 1999. Kiowa, Apache and Comanche Military Societies. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX. Murie, James R. 1914. Pawnee Indian Societies. Anthropological Papers, American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 11, No. 7, New York, NY. Skinner, Alanson B. 1915-a. Societies of the Iowa, Kansa and Ponca Indians. Anthropological Papers, American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 11, Part 9, New York, NY. 1915-b. Kansa Organizations. Anthropological Papers, American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 11, New York, NY. 1915-c. Ponca Societies and Dances. Anthropological Papers, American Museum of Natural History, Vol. 11, New York, NY. 1921. Material Culture of the Menomini. Indian Notes and Monographs, No. 20, Museum of American Indian, Heye Foundation, NY. |
John Straight - Osage - 1912
http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/89-8/T13358.jpg John Straight - Osage - 1912 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/89-8/T13355.jpg John Straight - Osage - 1912 http://sirismm.si.edu/naa/89-8/T13357.jpg |
other type of turbans
http://www.powwows.com/galleries/sho...php?photo=9989
are there turbans made from material other than otter or fox? i was at ft duschene last week and a man from the cheyenne river rez was wearing a turban made out of what i thought was a blue trade cloth. similar to the turban in the attached link. |
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As a point of reference, my father inlaw said, "for Pawnee, not just anyone has the right to wear the tab that sticks out sideways on the front their otter headpiece. The men who wore this tab were recognized, great, spiritual doctors."
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Otter fur turban
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Has anyone ever seen a contemporary straight dancer in a fur turban with a horn sticking out one side like the 17th photograph down, Standing Bear 1881?
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