Roach, Hair Ornament

Roach, Hair Ornament, American Plains Indian

Worn by Native Americans of the high plains for a variety of dances as costuming and decorating, roaches were especially common among the Sioux tribe and have great importance in many of their events. Some were made of porcupine quills and others deer tail hair. These hairs were typically black and white and dyed pink.  Some roaches would have more decoration including beads, brighter colors, and several different feathers types. This Roach is a simple example of what were fairly often elaborately decorated items. Roachs were typically worn by male dancers for events and were usually made by women, but the events in which they were worn had important roles for both genders.