Proud Indians. The feathers of the eagle and their significance in the culture of tribes

The history of the Wild West is fanned by a halo of mystery, romance and adventure. Everyone knows that the New World was inhabited long before Columbus rushed to find new Spanish colonies. Originally they were from different parts of Asia. After the famous navigator landed in the Bahamas, who, incidentally, mixed up with the shores of India, he met natives (locals), who immediately renamed the Indians. In Russian literature this term was adapted and began to sound like "Indians".

Free-loving tribes of South America

Columbus had long since floated away, and his followers who visited the shores of America continued to call indigenous peoples Indians. Thus, the name has taken root and is successfully used to this day. However, over time, seafarers began to notice that not all people, called Indians, are of the same type of appearance. Representatives of some tribes were thin and small, others - stocky and broad-shouldered. The first to be called the Indians of South Argentina, and others - the Indians of Peru.

The Indians. Feathers on the head as a sign of honor

Of particular importance in the culture of these ancient primitive tribes was the eagle feather. Indians feathers (meaning betrayed it was the eagle) was very appreciated and protected. The eagle itself has always been a symbol of courage, honor and justice. It was these birds that were highly valued by the inhabitants of America. Each tribe had in its arsenal several stories and stories about eagles. Indians feathers wore exclusively in the hair, sometimes decorated with them, even the manes of their favorite horses, without which it is impossible to imagine the Wild West today.

Beautiful rituals using eagle feathers

It was from here and went the old Indian tradition to decorate clothes and hair with eagle feathers. Looking at them with the naked eye, you might think that they are exactly the same, but on closer examination it becomes clear: there are not even two duplicate copies. Indians feathers skillfully discerned. In their culture, they even served instead of engagement rings. The man who found the two eagle's feathers had to keep them at home until he met a suitable girl with whom he wished to share his fate. Indians used feathers for honorable and important rituals.

But with them the natives were associated not only with romantic stories. Of them, a real military hat was made. This craft was a real art! The number of feathers on the headdress of the soldiers showed how many enemies he killed or wounded. The collection of trophies was replenished with feathers extracted from the enemy's hair, which the Indian then inserted into his military headdress.

It is noteworthy that in many Indian tribes there was even a special profession - a catcher of eagles. He was strictly forbidden to kill a bird, he could only pull out a few feathers from her, and then let him go free.

Civilizations of the Wild West

Indians have always been intellectually developed people. Their tribes were bearers of an entire culture, had their own separate organized life. They possessed gold and precious stones, which cost a fortune. At the mention of this, European navigators were delighted. Of course, there were poor tribes of Indians. They were less numerous and settled mainly on the coastlines of South America.

Thanks to the skilful leadership of Indian leaders, a complex system of social hierarchy was created in each tribe.

Nature and love of life chanted

Although tribes could differ significantly in material condition, their religion and attitude towards nature were surprisingly similar. Most Indians believed in the other world of spirits who dominated the human essence, believed that nature is a living substance that guides the world. At that time, such beliefs were fundamentally different from the beliefs of Europeans who elevated man to all things. However, Europeans could learn a lot from Indigenous people with regard to attachment to nature and to all life that inhabits the planet. The natives believed that man is the brother of all that exists, and he must not interfere in nature and violate its original structure. They did not share the land, it was a common property. By this they emphasized their respect and careful attitude towards it. It is noteworthy that some tribes of the Indians still do not want to take elements of the civilized world to this day. This concerns the cultivation of land. They flatly refused to use various mechanical agricultural technologies for the cultivation of land. This, in their opinion, will maim and cut her body.

These independent and unconquered inhabitants of South America have shown modern society an example in how to relate to nature and to life. They loved the world and valued their traditions.