Privateer6

Ok folks I would like to know what's the story behind Mop Tops, Mandans, Dog Soldier Hats, whatever you want to call them? I am seeing more and more of them at powwows, and I don't mean wannabes wearing them either. Is this a new fad, is it something that is becoming more and more popular, what's the scoop.
Thanks,
Jerry

Tx_grass_dancer

Dog soldier hats are from the dog soldier society and are diffrent from mop tops in the feathers used. Feather hats or mop tops do have a meaning behind them I don't know it,
cause I dont wear one. there are people who wear one cause it looks good. Ive started seeing a lot more people wear them too.

Tom Iron Eagle

Most would agree that the most famous image of the Dog Soldier and the Head Gear is the painting by Karl Bodmer of the Hidasta Warrior Pehriska-Ruhpa done sometime around 1833.

Actually, Bodmer made two paintings of Pheriska-Ruhpa also known as "Two Ravens" for his collection of Prints and Writtings while accompaning Prince Max Wied through his travels of North America. One full image and one of just half image. Apprently Bodmer and Prince Wied mention that Two Ravens peformed a dance accompanied by the sounds of Drums and Rattles.

They also give a very detailed description of Two Ravens Clothing - not to mentioned the fact that Bodmer was a perfectionist and you can even see the detail of the beads, quills, etc. in the paintings.

Prince Wied mentions in his travels that the same groups or societies had similar and different "Regalia" from Tribe to Tribe, Village to Village and even person to person.

Of course there were Dog Soldier Societies all over the Plains and many used this type of Head Gear for various reasons.

Prince Wied does say that the Regalia was made from various feathers including Wild Turkey, Magpie, and Owl.

Privateer6

When I was in Louisiana, I only saw 1 person wearing a moptop of eagle feathers. Since I moved to NC, I saw 4 different people at 3 different powwows wearing them, either with mappie feathers, eagle feathers, or turkey feathers. Again I just wanted to know what was the story; is this a fad?

Tom, Thanks for the info

Another question: what type of feathers are used for feather hats and/or are there any restrictions,ie society use, etc?

I admit I like the look and I could make one easier and cheaper than a roach. But I don't want to p!$$ anyone off, especially since I am thenew guy the area. Thanks for everyone's help in advance

Tx_grass_dancer

go here it is a thread started by another guy
"Mandan" Headdress
In it are links to other threads on construction and a little on meaning and who should wear it

sookout sh'nob

One time, this young guy up where Im from - maybe 80% of all the people in that town there are ojibwe - was asking an elder that same question about feathers and feather hats. This young man was concerned about upsetting people from other tribes.

Aniishaa, so this young guy asks the elder about it and the old man listens to him and looks at the ground and nods. When the young guy is finished that elder tells him this "It doesnt matter how they do it over there or if they get upset about what you do or not. You are Ojibwe, and we dont have those same rules as those ones over there. Make that hat, do it how it feels right to you and leave their ideas alone. Leave their thoughts and traditions for them because those things belong to them. They are not ojibwes like us."

The hat was made and nobody ever got upset about what feathers were in it or anything. So there you have it.

mii awe miigech.

Tom Iron Eagle

I have never made or even attempted to make one. I can see just from common sense that it has to be time consuming.

Just one thought, I don't see as many with the nice Crest of the Wild Turkey Feathers like in Bodmers Painting of Two Ravens. Is that becuase making that Crest is even more time consuming and even harder?

Tx_grass_dancer

Because it is a true dog soldier hat I'm guessing. Like ive said I cant say for sure but not many seen on the powwow circuit are actual dog soldier hats.

Privateer6

Sorry it's taken a little while to respond, bought my house friday and have been loading vans, unpacking boxes, etc. Thanks for all the advice and recommendations. I may have a source for turkey feathers; I'm going to play around and try handpainting them into imitation eagle feathers ( or I may talk my sis in law to doing it for me ;) Again thanks everyone.
Jerry

Tom Iron Eagle

GJJUDD,

Don't paint the feathers. As mentioned before the Head Gear used Wild Turkey Feathers, Magpie, and Owl Feathers. So get Wild Feathers for this.

Also if you notice in the famous picture the Head Gear has a Crest and that is obviously Wild Turkey Feathers.

Of course if you can't get Wild or close to Wild then you will need to paint them.

Of course a great deal of dancers use Ealge and Hawk feathers, and hand painted feathers to look like Eagle and Hawk feathers. Always thought that was interesting since the Head Gear in the past was most often made of Wild Turkey, Magpie, etc.