When the story is finished, the warrior will return the eagle feather to the person who dropped it. Many times these stories have saved lives because of the lessons contained in them. This story should be humble, with a lesson or message for all to learn from. The veteran is addressing both the spirit of the fallen warrior and the spirit world, and he must appease the spirit by telling an actual war story. It is imperative not to lie during the whole ceremony because of the presence of the deceased warrior. Once the feather is picked up, the warrior will face the east and acknowledge the spirit world in his own language. This tradition is respected by all traditional tribes. When receiving or touching anything hly, one must always use the left hand. After the sixth verse, the honored veteran will pick the feather up with his left hand and give a war whoop to acknowledge the capture of the spirit of the feather. Again, this is very important to follow, because of the grave consequences to be paid if one insults the spirit. Those who have not taken coupe will use an eagle fan, because they are not strong enough to touch the spirit. Each will charge with his right hand extended to "touch" or take coup. The downbeat represents the cannon and gunfire in any song, so in the case of this ceremony, the veterans are charging the gunfire of the enemy. The next four verses will have the dancers charge the feather on the downbeat. The first two verses are straight verses with no downbeats, paying respect of the Creator and the spirit of the fallen warrior. The powwow of today uses four veterans, to represent the four cardinal directions, to dance around the feather. Those tribes who adhere to strict traditions and customs will allow only wounded veterans to dance and retrieve the spirit of the feather. It is the right of all veterans, dressed in costume or not, to dance in any powwow arena. Ceremonies such as this have not changed because this is the foundation upon which the powwow was originated. Over the last thirty years, powwows have become more than just a profession, but a way of life. One cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining a clean body and spirit free of any "bad medicine" at powwows, especially in the presence of many distinguished warriors. The spirit will show itself in its own time, especially to the young and innocent. Recording and photographing such a ceremony is strictly forbidden. This practice still remains over the centuries and should not be altered because of the consequences. The eagle feather is the spirit of a fallen warrior and can only be matched in power by the same. Historically and traditionally, it is the right of any wounded warrior to retrieve a fallen eagle feather. "If our ancestors could stop an entire war to retrieve an eagle feather, then it shouldn't be too hard to stop a powwow to do the same." This message still remains among many of the traditional tribes of the plains who follow the powwow way of life. ![]() We are all taught by the same Great Spirit and should respect his teachings." Their wounds were taken care of, they were given fresh horses and sent on their way with this message. He announced to his people, "Even though we are bitter enemies, the respect and meaning of the eagle feather is the same. The captured enemy began singing their death songs since their fate was inevitable.īut, when they were taken to the village, the chief gave a feast and gifts to the captives. As they approached the feather, they were captured, tied and blindfolded. Finally, that night a small group of the enemy returned, searching the ground and bushes. So they immediately set up an ambush and waited. The chief stopped the pursuit and told his warriors, "If these people are truly warriors and respect this feather, they will come back to retrieve it." One of the warriors who was in pursuit noticed the eagle feather and notified the war chief. The notching and coloring of eagle feathers represented various brave deeds in the taking of the enemy. Each eagle feather represented life taken in battle. Only distinguished warriors are the right to wear eagle feathers. During one of the invading party's retreats, a feather had fallen and was left behind. The battle went for days, as war parties charged and then retreated. ![]() There was a large war party, estimated in the hundreds, whose dust from their horses could be seen for miles. At that time, most tribes were nomadic on the plains, following the buffalo and game. ![]() Over two hundred years ago, there was a story about two tribes who were bitter enemies, always fighting over hunting territories, horses and women.
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