Scalp is a word originally applied to a trophy prized in the culture of North American Indians. Nowadays, the word denotes skin that is cut off from the head so that the hair remains on it. The most common use of the word is the phrase “scalp”.
Historical summary
What does it mean to “remove the scalp”, previously known only to the redskins. Real Indians, the first inhabitants of North America knew how to kill enemies and get trophies from their defeated bodies. What happened in practice? White people, invading America, not only took over the land from the local population, but also military skills. In particular, pale-faced warriors quickly learned to scalp. Photos of paintings dedicated to this plot exist in large numbers.
When the scalp was removed, the victim could survive. This practice has existed since ancient times, and European, Asian barbarians have mastered the technique of ridding the enemy of the upper covers of the head no worse than the American. Incidentally, it was invented even earlier than the American Indians thought of scalping.
A scalp is a cover removed from the head, which is then stored for specific purposes. The most ancient specimens that have survived to this day date back to 190-580 years of our era. However, other scholars say that already 4.5 millennia ago, tribes removed scalps from their enemies.
Stereotypes away
The scalp is not only a trophy of war, but also an important object of religious ritual. When the first colonizers arrived in the New World, they encountered local religions, learning about how different tribal practices in different regions of the mainland were. By the way, Atapascans and Eskimos took scalps from enemies less often than others, but those who lived near the Mississippi and Florida loved this practice. But the Indians who lived in Canada did not remove scalps from anyone at all and were civilians. Those tribes that inhabited the Pacific coast were not entertained by this.
However, over time, even those who have never been involved in scalping have joined the practice. And the reason is simple: the colonialists introduced a monetary reward for each Native American scalp - it was their attempt to bring discord among the enemies. Survival in the difficult conditions of that period led to an abundance of people who wanted easy money.
Religion of the Indians
A scalp is not a regalia or a medal, as modern people like to make comparisons. This was an important element of the religious ritual, which was dedicated to a great victory. Practice shows that the scalp was easily replaced by other parts of human bodies - and even bloodied blankets that belonged to defeated opponents.
The scalp in the form in which it became part of the ritual, began to be mined when they realized that it was much easier to move it than a whole head. And if opponents followed in the wake of the tribe, and it was necessary to move quickly and imperceptibly, their heads were completely in the way. Throwing trophies for the Indians was impossible, and they invented such a way, facilitating the bloody harvest.
In addition, the head begins to quickly rot, but keeping the scalp intact until the camp, even if you have to go to it for several weeks, is much easier.
Incidentally, the scalp was important not only religiously, it was considered a decorative ornament. So proud, cherished it. But it took into account how the trophy was received. For example, if the fight turned out to be difficult and brutal, then the trophies extracted from it turned out to be more valuable. Rare scalps — say, female ones obtained from the colonialists — were used as decorations.
Survive without scalp
History knows cases where in practice people learned what the scalp means and how important it is. It is about those who survived scalping. This happened for various reasons. Perhaps personal unique stamina, but more often the enemies simply did not have time to finish the job, and they managed to save the victim.
Surprisingly, this did not mean honor for him in his native tribe, on the contrary. For example, among the Pawnee Indians, survivors turned into outcasts. The tribe perceived scalped as if by ghosts, people deprived of the support of the gods.
Another interesting historical moment has reached our days. During the colonization of North America, there was one white man who was not very fortunate enough to fall into the hands of the Indians. Considering it a worthy prey, the red-skinned warrior removed the scalp from the prey, but was forced to flee, leaving both the trophy and the victim herself, who at that moment had not lost her breath. The man not only survived, but was also able to find the layer thrown by the Indian from his head, after which he went for help to his own. The warrior managed to survive, but they could not grow the scalp into place, it was too late. However, since then he has made a good career, riding in various American places and showing everyone his head and scalp taken from it. They paid well for the performances.
Scalp?
Of course, a curious person wants to know if it is possible to scalp himself. Remember that scalping causes death:
- painful shock;
- loss of blood;
- infection.
Already the first paragraph completely excludes the possibility of self-scalping from your head. If for some reason a person is deprived of the instinct of self-preservation and insensitive to pain, when trying to scalp, he is likely to damage the skull, which will end in instant death before it is possible to complete the operation.