Spirit Dance Headdress Item Number: A17071 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Wool headdress woven in sections with cotton warp for about four inches. One piece of wire is shaped to fit the crown of an old felt hat. More wire is attached to this and comes to a point bent forward. The smallest section of wool is circled around this and joined together. The other two are attached to a cloth which is in turn attached to the hat. It is crowned with raven feathers.

History Of Use

Used only during the period when the spirit dancer is a novice, from two weeks to three or four months. This headdress was used by a novice dancer (female) at Musqueam; it was washed before it came to the museum.

Cultural Context

spirit dancing; ceremonial