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Description

March 17, 2017 Oklahoma History Center.

"Osage Wedding Hat"
Painted by Konis Ben, 1924-2006
Made in 1976.

The history of Osage wedding coat dates back to the 18th century when the Osages had contact with various Europeans including the Spanish, French, British, as well as the Americans. These coats were initially acquired by Osage chiefs and warriors through various diplomatic alliances and military campaigns. The coats signified rand and were also a way for European military to identify the Osages as allies during these military campaigns.

Because Osage men were over six foot tall and broader than the average European, the Osages put these ‘coats’ on their women. This is the beginning of the Osage wedding coat linked with the giving away of Osage brides. An Osage bride would have worn the wedding coat over her traditional Osage regalia. A fingerwoven belt it tied around the waist of the coat. She carried the top hat adorned with feathers. Osage marriages were arranged with the bride and groom being from different clans. The last traditional Osage wedding took place in the early 20th century.

Today the use of the wedding coat worn by Osage women is largely ceremonial. The women or ‘brides’ wear the wedding coat when a new Drum Keeper pays for the drum at the Osage Elonshka ceremonials. The ceremony of paying for the drum involves elaborate gifts of horses, blankets shawls, and complete wedding coats and regalia, to be given away to the previous Drum Keeper, his family and the new War Dance committee.

Description

March 17, 2017 Oklahoma History Center.

"Osage Wedding Hat"
Painted by Konis Ben, 1924-2006
Made in 1976.

The history of Osage wedding coat dates back to the 18th century when the Osages had contact with various Europeans including the Spanish, French, British, as well as the Americans. These coats were initially acquired by Osage chiefs and warriors through various diplomatic alliances and military campaigns. The coats signified rand and were also a way for European military to identify the Osages as allies during these military campaigns.

Because Osage men were over six foot tall and broader than the average European, the Osages put these ‘coats’ on their women. This is the beginning of the Osage wedding coat linked with the giving away of Osage brides. An Osage bride would have worn the wedding coat over her traditional Osage regalia. A fingerwoven belt it tied around the waist of the coat. She carried the top hat adorned with feathers. Osage marriages were arranged with the bride and groom being from different clans. The last traditional Osage wedding took place in the early 20th century.

Today the use of the wedding coat worn by Osage women is largely ceremonial. The women or ‘brides’ wear the wedding coat when a new Drum Keeper pays for the drum at the Osage Elonshka ceremonials. The ceremony of paying for the drum involves elaborate gifts of horses, blankets shawls, and complete wedding coats and regalia, to be given away to the previous Drum Keeper, his family and the new War Dance committee.