The history of the Wild West is fanned by a halo of mystery, romance and adventure. Everyone knows that the New World was populated long before Columbus rushed to search for new Spanish colonies. Initially, they were immigrants from different parts of Asia. After the famous navigator landed in the Bahamas, which, incidentally, confused with the shores of India, he met the natives (local residents), who immediately renamed the Indians. In Russian literature, this term was adapted and began to sound like “Indians”.
Freedom-loving tribes of South America
Columbus had already sailed away, and his followers, who visited the shores of America, continued to call the indigenous people Indians. Thus, the name has taken root and is successfully used to this day. However, over time, mariners began to notice that not all people called Indians are of the same type of appearance. Representatives of some tribes were thin and small, others were stocky and broad-shouldered. The first began to be called the Indians of Southern Argentina, and the others - the Indians of Peru.
Indians. Feathers on the head as a sign of honor
Of particular importance in the culture of these ancient primitive tribes was the eagle feather. Indians feathers (the meaning was betrayed by eagles) were very appreciated and protected. The eagle itself has always been a symbol of courage, honor and justice. It was these birds that were highly regarded by the inhabitants of America. Each tribe had in its arsenal several stories and tales of eagles. The Indians wore feathers exclusively in their hair, sometimes they even decorated the manes of their favorite horses, without which it is impossible to imagine the Wild West today.
Beautiful rites using eagle feathers
It was from here that the old Native American tradition went to decorate clothes and hair with eagle feathers. Looking at them with the naked eye, you might think that they are exactly the same, but upon closer examination it becomes clear: there are not even two duplicate copies. Indians feathers skillfully distinguished. In their culture, they even served instead of engagement rings. The man who found the two eagle feathers had to keep them at his place until he met a suitable girl with whom he wished to share his fate. Indians used feathers for honorable and important ceremonies.
But not only romantic stories were associated with them among the natives. Of these, a real military headdress was made. This craft was a real art! The number of feathers on the headdress of the soldiers indicated how many enemies he killed or wounded. The collection of trophies was replenished with feathers obtained in battle from the hair of the enemy, which the Indian subsequently inserted into his military headdress.
It is noteworthy that in many Indian tribes there was even a special profession - eagle hunter. He was strictly forbidden to kill the bird, he could only pull out a few feathers from her, and then let him go free.
Wild West Civilizations
Indians have always been intellectually developed people. Their tribes were carriers of a whole culture, had their own separate organized life. They possessed gold and precious stones, which were worth a fortune. At the mention of this, European sailors were delighted. Of course, there were poor tribes of the Indians. They were less numerous and settled mainly on the coastline of South America.
Thanks to the able leadership of the Indian leaders in each tribe, a complex system of social hierarchy was created.
They praised nature and the love of life
Although the tribes could differ significantly in their material condition, their religion and attitude to nature were remarkably similar. Most Indians believed in the other world of spirits that ruled over human nature, believed that nature is a living substance that rules the world. At that time, such beliefs were fundamentally different from the beliefs of Europeans, who elevated a person over everything.
However, Europeans could learn a lot from the native Indians regarding their attachment to nature and to all living things that inhabit the planet. The natives believed that man is the brother of everything that exists, and he should not interfere in nature and violate its original structure. They did not share the land, it was a common property. By this they emphasized their respect and respect for her. It is noteworthy that some tribes of the Indians to this day do not want to accept the elements of the civilized world. This applies to the cultivation of the land. They flatly refused to use various mechanical agricultural technologies for cultivating the land. This, in their opinion, will mutilate and cut her body.
These independent and disobedient inhabitants of South America have shown modern society an example of how to relate to nature and life. They loved the world and appreciated their traditions.