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Blackfeet Split Buffalo
Horn Wormy Headdress
Prepare yourself for the story of the Indian legend which
depicts the history of the White Buffalo! This will be explained
at the end of the following description.
What you are looking at before your very eyes is simply the best
example of a Split Buffalo Horn Wormy Headdress you will ever
see! It is simply awe inspiring. The original is owned by Troy
of “Troy’s Western Heritage Gallery” of Scottsdale. It was told
to Larry and myself that he (Troy) traded two pickup trucks for
this piece in the late 60’s. As of 1991, three years before
Larry reproduced this beauty, this headdress was appraised for
$190,000 (dollars). This is the only exact reproduction of this
magnificent headpiece in the world.
What gives this “Wormy” the reputation it deserves, is how many
ermine drops, hides, strips and pelts are adorned on this
masterpiece. It is simply loaded with ermine. Let’s start by how
this headdress got its name ; ”Wormy”. If you look closely as to
how the ermine hides are cut and split, then layered like
shingles on a roof, the entire collage of ermine resembles a
bunch of worms crawling around. However, it really is supposed
to resemble white buffalo fur. On the sides near the ear, hang
several ermine drops, strips and a full hide on each side along
with strips of tradecloth. The original adorned one summer
(brown) drop on the left side; as does Larry’s. Some of the
drops and strips of ermine adorn red hackle feathers at the end.
Two ermine drops even adorn red yarn at the end; one on both
sides. Every adornment is exactly like the original. One drop on
each side is also wrapped with red tradecloth. Original red
tradecloth 17 inches long and 12 inches wide is attached to the
buckskin cap which is complete with white cloth edging. Two rows
of ermine drops are attached to the tradecloth. The top row has
18 drops while the bottom row consists of 20 drops. Two drops
are made from one ermine hide. One has the original tail of the
ermine while the other normally has a piece of buffalo fur
attached to the end to simulate a tail. Another trait that makes
this headdress so magnificent is the fact that ninety per cent
of the 36 drops which adorn the back of this headdress has the
original tail. This adds tremendous value to the headpiece. The
headband is made with original red tradecloth as well. 8
original antique brass buttons from the 1800’s adorn the
headband. The reference and size of these buttons are once again
the same as the original. The headband is completed with white
seed beads along the bottom of the band. The buffalo horns are a
majestic 10 inches high with the curve and re-curve at the top.
An abundant group of red hackle feathers surround the base of
the horns. The tip or re-curve of the horns has a strip of
ermine with powder blue and white seed beads surrounding the
center of the ermine. Attached to this adornment once again is
several red hackle feathers along with a thick grouping of
yellow horse hair draping 16 inches down the back. Two original
antique hand made hawk bells on each side of the tip of the
horns complete the powerful and influential look of these horns.
Finally, original brass beads aligned by a leather thong are
draped from the top of the horns to the center of the cap. This
same leather thong is used to stabilize and separate the top of
the buffalo horns. It took Larry three and a half months to
complete this magnificent headdress and once completed, it
became his favorite work of art. I revere this spectacular
headdress as my favorite just the same.
The Legend of the White Buffalo: One summer a long time ago, the
seven sacred council fires of the Lakota Sioux came together and
camped. The sun was strong and the people were starving for
there was no game. Two young men went out to hunt. Along the
way, the two met a beautiful young woman dressed in white who
floated as she walked. One man had bad desires for the woman and
tried to touch her, but was consumed by a cloud and turned into
a pile of bones. The women turned to the second young man and
said, “Return to your people and tell them I am coming.” This
holy woman brought a wrapped bundle to the people. She unwrapped
the bundle giving to the people a sacred pipe and teaching them
how to use it to pray. “With this holy pipe, you will walk like
a living prayer” she said. The holy women told the Sioux about
the value of the buffalo, the women and the children. “You are
from Mother earth,” she told the women. "What you are doing is
as great as what the warriors do.” Before she left, she told the
people she would return. As she walked away, she rolled over
four times, turning into a white female buffalo calf. It is said
after that day the Lakota honored their pipe, and the buffalo
became plentiful. (from John Lame Deer’s telling in 1967). Many
believe that the buffalo calf Miracle, born August 20, 1994
symbolizes the coming together of humanity into oneness of
heart, mind and spirit. The pipe from the white buffalo calf
woman is still kept in South Dakota. |
