ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the ritual regalia collected by the Russians in California. The objects range from elaborate headdresses, flicker bands, and feather capes to extremely beautiful and very rare feather belts. The flicker-quill headband is perhaps the best known and most widespread article of ritual dress in central California, and one that is still used today by many native groups. Feather capes were made by attaching large wing and tail feathers to a net foundation. Feather belts played a prominent role in the material culture of California peoples, and were prized above all other material possessions. The ear pendant originally consisted of woodpecker scalps from which a plant fiber cord, decorated with five Olivella shell beads and ending in an abalone shell pendant, was suspended. Feather ropes were used in a number of dances. Nearly all central Californian groups used these ropes in dances.
