This Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) was constructed and owned by Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) chief piyopyóot’alikt (Peo Peo Tholekt). A significant characteristic of these Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistles) in Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) culture is the role they played in times of war. Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) warriors would carry these Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistles) with them as forms of protection during battles. The Wéeptes (golden eagle) is considered sacred throughout Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) culture and as a result, provides wéeyekin (spiritual powers) to specific Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) individuals. The specific wéeyekin (spiritual power) given to piyopyóot’alikt (Chief Peo Peo Tholekt) was immunity from harm from guns or arrows during battle whenever he blew his Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle). Notably, only the direct family of a Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) warrior would likely know the specific significance of the different components of the warrior's Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle). In Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) culture, it is believed that the wéeyekin (spiritual power) of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) is lessened when the details of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle's) components are shared with an increasing number of people. For this reason, the details of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle's) different components are often only passed down within the warrior's family lineage or limited to specific generations of the warrior's family. piyopyóot’alikt' (Chief Peo Peo Tholekt's) xotxó’as (whistle) was crafted from the lower bone of an eagle's wing. In total, the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) is about 15.3 cm in the length. The Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) is tied with human hair that is wound very tightly, buckskin strings, a string of green and brass beads, white feathers, and purple feathers. There are five carved wrings around the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle), which is likely significant as the number "5" is considered sacred within Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) culture. Though it was unknown when piyopyóot’alikt (Chief Peo Peo Tholekt) originally crafted his whistle, evidence suggests he carried the whistle throughout his time fighting during the Nez Perce War of 1877. It is likely piyopyóot’alikt (Chief Peo Peo Tholekt) constructed his whistle sometime in the 1870s. Warriors, like piyopyóot’alikt (Chief Peo Peo Tholekt), would keep their Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistles) in their hair/near their temples during battle. Image 1: This photo displays an overview of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle). One can see all of the materials attached to the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle), including the long wound strands of human hair, buckskin strings wrapped around the base, a string of green and brass beads, white feathers, and purple feathers. Image 2: This photo provides a view of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) from above. From this photo, one can see the opposing side of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) and the carving damage to its base on the left hand side. Image 3: This photo displays zoomed in detail of the buckskin straps and green/brass beaded string wound around the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle). Image 4: In this photo, one can see a closeup of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle) base and the possible carving damage to the eagle bone itself. Image 5: This photo showcases the opposing side of the Wéeptes xotxó’as (Eagle bone whistle), where one can see the inside of the eagle bone base. From this photo, one can see a yellow colored substance inside the eagle bone base.
