Feather headdress

Full view of a Feather_headdress
Possibly Cofán, Northern Ecuador and Southern Colombia, pre-1902
Scarlet macaw feathers, bird breast pelts, beetle-wing cases, cotton, basketry, seeds, trade beads
Accession Number 25.11.02.3

The ceremonial dress of many Amazonian peoples includes feather headdresses, as well as elaborate ear, neck, arm and waist ornaments.

Feathers show the owner to be a good hunter and provider for both his family and for the community.

Feathers link the wearer symbolically to birds and among some groups may act as a source of spiritual strength and protection.


In this section

Back to the top