A pow wow or powwow is a gathering of Native Americans were they dance, sing, socialize, basically a party. in most western films they are also often portrayed as a political meeting between warring tribes or cowboys.
Headdress or war bonnets like this would be essential at any powwow as you need to look your best.
The Warbonnet is the chosen ceremonial headgear of the Plains Indian of North America, they were also worn into battle.
They are quite light and comfortable to wear they serve no practical purpose at all other than to announce your presence, which they do very well.
War bonnets are made around a buckskin skull cap and designed so the feather flare out around the head.
The skull cap can also be decorated with beads.
Dyed horse hair mostly holds it all together and creatively provides additional decoration
Some war bonnets also included horns from buffalo.