war bonnet

an American Indian headdress consisting of a headband with a tail of ornamental feathers.

Origin of war bonnet

First recorded in 1800–10

This was the first time in years that the warrior had had a chance to wear his war-bonnet in battle.

The Way of an Indian |Frederic Remington
The addition of an ermine skin to the war-bonnet is an honor that few warriors earned in the old days.

Indian Scout Talks |Charles A. Eastman
The figure shows a man wearing a war-bonnet (-tah-i) and with a wound in his breast.

Calendar history of the Kiowa Indians. (1898 N 17 / 1895-1896 (pages 129-444)) |James Mooney
The picture shows a man wearing a war-bonnet and holding out a rattle, while a woman follows him.

Calendar history of the Kiowa Indians. (1898 N 17 / 1895-1896 (pages 129-444)) |James Mooney

"If he wished for a war-bonnet of eagle feathers, it is his to wear," declared one of the young men.

Old Indian Days |[AKA Ohiyesa], Charles A. Eastman

war bonnet

a headband with trailing feathers, worn by certain North American Indian warriors as a headdress