How to Make a Buffalo Headdress
Native Americans wore several different types of headdresses decorated in a multitude of ways. These decorative headpieces were worn most often by tribal chiefs and warriors, and could be made out of a number of materials, including feathers and animal horns, fur and skins. Headdresses featuring buffalo horns were common among the Plains Indians. You can create your own buffalo headdress to complement any Native American costume.
Things You'll Need
- Brown neoprene
- Scissors
- White neoprene
- Instant glue
- Large crafting feathers
- Dark brown or black yarn
- Wooden beads
- Stapler
- Staples
- Measuring tape
- Elastic string
Instructions
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1
Cut a 12-by-2-inch piece of brown neoprene to serve as the base for your headdress.
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2
Cut two 8-inch-tall buffalo horns out of white or off-white neoprene. See Reference 1 for a printable horn pattern.
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3
Glue the horns to each end of the headdress base, using an instant glue, such as Super Glue. The tip of the horns should point toward the back of the head.
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4
Glue several large feathers across the top of the headdress between the horns.
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5
Braid several long strands of dark brown or black yarn. Thread wooden beads onto the braids or staple feathers to them to decorate. Staple two or three braids along the bottom of each side of the headdress so they will fall on either side of the wearer's chin.
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6
Hold the base of the headdress against the wearer's forehead and measure around the back of his head from one end of the headdress to the other. Cut a length of elastic string to the same measurement plus 2 inches. Staple the elastic string to the inside of each end of the headdress so you can secure it around the wearer's head.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
