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Lakota Ihoka Badger Society Buffalo Hide Headdress

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:250.00 - 750.00 USD
Lakota Ihoka Badger Society Buffalo Hide Headdress
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Offered for sale in this lot is a Lakota Sioux Native American Indian buffalo hide headdress. The Iho’ka or Badger Society was one of the Aki’cita eligible societies. Aki’cita (or Akicita) has been often translated as “soldier” or “warrior” but its more accurate implied meaning is more appropriately as “guard” or “police”. These Aki’cita Societies would act as “guards” and watch over the tribe when the tribe moved from one place to another and keep watch for enemy activity when a camp was chosen. Aki’cita also acted as “civil police” to preserve order in the camp and had the right to punish offenders of tribal codes or conduct. Warriors chosen to serve as Aki’cita also had the responsibility to maintain strict control during a Buffalo hunt. The Iho’ka (Ihoka) Badger Society were considered amongst the most extreme warriors of the Aki’cita. They were said to have been started by a man who dreamed of a badger. They often took great risks against seemingly insurmountable odds, emulating the great tenacity found in the behavior of a badger, who would not think twice about going nose to nose with a bear ten times its own size and winning the fight. The headdress shows tanned hide construction, and showcases multiple layers of dense buffalo fur. The top of the headdress utilizes two buffalo horns, and two polished trade mirrors. The mirrors adorning the headdress were said to blind their enemies while in battle. Overall, the headdress shows good condition. Originality, age, and origin of the headdress are unknown. The headdress measures 13" wide, and 27" tall. The inside circumference of the headdress measures approximately 24 1/2".