Feather costumes of Californian Indians

In central California there were several types of secret societies. Most of them were connected with the cult of the supreme spirit Kuksu. The cult was spread among various tribes around San Francisco Bay and in the valley of the Sacramento River that flows into it. Most of all it was typical of Miwok Indians, as well as of the Patwin, Kato, Yuki, eastern Pomo, Maidu and some other tribes. During rituals and ceremonies connected with the cult of Kuksu, members of secret societies sang and danced and wore special costumes and headdresses. To join to the cult one had to go through complex initiation rituals. Members of secret societies enjoyed great authority and were wealthier than those who were not honored with this privilege.

Dancers depicted supernatural creatures that came to visit the world of people. Such visits were aimed to bring well-being and abundance. The Eagle and the Vulture were among the most important spirits. They were depicted by people wearing costumes made of eagle skins and condor feathers.

Unfortunately, there have preserved no detailed descriptions of such ceremonies. In 1841, during his visit to the valley of the Sacramento River, I.G. Voznesenski acquired two costumes made of feathers depicting the Eagle-spirit and the Condor-spirit. Mostly likely, they belonged to Miwok Indians, to be more precise, to lowland Miwok. They could also have belonged to the Patwin people, but from Sattera Rancho where Voznesenski stayed it was 80 km up the river, and the collector hardly traveled that far. At present both costumes are displayed in the Kunstkamera and there are no analogues in foreign museums.

Ritual costumes of the Indians of California made of condor leather and raven feather. (Museum exposition)