Feathers are present in all moments of the life of the Kayapò and one of their ancestral myths sees the killing of the great vulture Àkkàjkritti by twins who with his white feathers created headdresses to acquire the virtues of the great rapacious bird.
The Kayapo of the Amazon forest are masters in the creation of feather artifacts. The yellow and red macaw feathers are their favorite, for they tell the identity of the person and the differences between the various groups inside and outside the village. They express beauty and the desire to fly.
Pakam mànjamy
Pair of ring bracelets with a white cotton band. A tuft of multicolored feathers and two long red tail feathers of macaw are sewn onto each of them. Worn by men around the biceps, during festivals where the macaw dances are performed.
Pakam mànpry
During festivals, men wear other ring bracelets of different crafting material. Bracelets in which the ring is covered with small multicolored macaw feathers sewn with brown cotton thread, with a bow of seeds and in whose cavity other feathers are placed.
Wôre kà
Boys and girls wear these wrist bracelets at the time of their introduction to the community and during the naming ritual. The father creates them with a band of palm bark covered with intertwining fibers and decorated with long tail feathers and seeds.
Me-Õkretã
Tied around the neck like a tie, they are the exclusivity to young people during the initiation period. It is made by the godfather or by whoever has inherited the privilege of producing it, and once the initiation is completed, it can be worn in all ceremonial feasts.
Me Tekre-kamrenx
Accessories with feathers, beads and nuts, they run down the back, worn by those who have the privilege of exhibiting them during rituals. They are generally reminiscent of happy events and are made with the carapace of freshwater tortoises, wild gourds, feathers and beads.
U-kax ritual ax
Feathers decorated almost object used; from weapon to musical instruments, always with aim of making them more beautiful and cheerful. The ax formerly used to cut down plants, but today is donated by the sister to the brother about to get married and kept with care.
Me-àkkà Pari diadem
Upper part of a larger fan tiara. Literally it means "bird wings" and is part of the kit of the Kayapò warrior. However, it is also worn during weddings, and by the two heralds who sing and dance in preparation for naming ceremonies.
Me-akkà diadem
One of the small polychrome diadems used only by men who have already taken part in some rituals, or who have received it as an inheritance or as a privilege linked to the name 'beautiful'. In the top center, there are always three red-blue macaw feathers.
Me-akkà kryre krwynh jamy diadem
Small fan-shaped tiara made with blue macaw wing feathers and two inserts of black striped 'Crax globulosa' feathers. The parrot feathers are fixed on a large cotton cord with loose ends, one by one in close continuity.
Pejàtijamy diadem êdjà-kam djà
Large diadem of yellow caudal feathers of oropendola from the crest, used during the naming ceremonies of women and by those, of both sexes, who have inherited the privilege. Its swaying to the rhythm of the dance gives the idea of a person flying
Tiara Kruwa-pu
Head ornament placed around the forehead, it consists of a frame of 30-35 bamboo straws (taboca), covered with white cotton thread, with yellow caudal feathers of oropendula from the crest. Enriched in the center and at the ends with red macaw feathers.
Headphone Rori-rori
Polychrome male headdress, made with feathers of various birds. Worn on the dancer's head, it conveys the idea of lightness and is worn by members of the family that holds the privilege, or by those who received it as a gift and a sign of friendship.
