Native American Warbonnets

At Kachina House we carry a vast selection of Native American warbonnets and headdresses, handmade by artists from various tribes. Crafted and accented with natural materials, we offer unique objects of art and craft.

Warbonnets (or war bonnets) are more commonly known as the intricate Native American feathered headdresses that have appeared throughout pop culture.

Warbonnets were crafted with golden eagle tail feathers and often decorated with beading and ermine skins. These important ceremonial regalia were worn only by male chieftains and warriors who had earned each feather through an act of bravery or completing a valuable deed for one’s own tribe. Warbonnets constituted your rank on the battlefield and in your own community, meaning the individual adorned with such a bonnet should be shown the highest form of respect.

Various types of headdresses were crafted in Native American history and were worn only by a dozen or so Indian tribes. Some well-known tribes included the Sioux, Blackfeet, and the Plains Cree in the Great Plains region. A trailer warbonnet features either a single or double row of feathers that, when completed, falls in a long tail-like structure toward the ground. Another type of headdress was the Halo warbonnet, which is crafted from eagle feathers and stitched together to frame the face.

For the Plains Indian tribes, the warbonnet represented a man’s bravery and honor, and dawning such a headdress proved that you had served your tribe greatly and had stories to share. Later in the 1800s, other tribes decided to follow suit, adopting the sacred headdress. However, to them it was more of a fashion piece and did not hold the same significance. Feathers are still awarded to this day to brave and courageous Native American men who have served in the military or have accomplished great deeds.

Kachina House is the largest distributor of Native American arts and crafts in Arizona. At our showroom/warehouse in Sedona, AZ, you will find more products on display than we can post on our website. Our products are high-quality and handcrafted; we pride ourselves on offering unique products and the best customer service. If you have questions, we urge you to call us toll free at 800-304-3290 or drop us an email. We always like to hear from our customers.