Eagle of Delight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eagle of Delight
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| Hayne Hudjihini | |
Eagle of Delight (Hayne Hudjihini), painted by Charles Bird King, c. 1822
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| Otoe leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1795 |
| Died | 1822 Nebraska |
| Cause of death | Measles |
| Resting place | Nebraska |
| Spouse | Sų Manyi Kathi |
Hayne Hudjihini, also known as Eagle of Delight, was an important Otoe woman. She was born around 1795 in what is now Nebraska. She was known for her beauty and charm.
Hayne Hudjihini was the daughter of a chief. She belonged to the Eagle clan of her tribe. She became one of the five wives of Chief Shaumonekusse, who was from the Bear clan.
Her Journey to Washington
In 1822, Hayne Hudjihini went on a special trip. She traveled with her husband and other Native American chiefs. They went to Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States.
While in Washington, they met James Monroe. He was the President of the United States at that time. People who met Hayne Hudjihini described her as very beautiful and charming. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, a government office, asked an artist named Charles Bird King to paint her portrait. He also painted a portrait of her husband, Shaumonekusse.
Her Portrait and Legacy
Hayne Hudjihini's portrait became very famous. Years later, in 1836, Chief Mahaska of the Ioway tribe visited Washington, D.C. He saw a copy of Eagle of Delight's portrait. He thought it was a painting of his own mother.
However, Chief Mahaska later saw another painting. It was a copy of his mother, Rantchewaime (Female Flying Pigeon). He recognized his mother by a special fan she held. It turned out that Hayne Hudjihini and his mother were close friends. They often dressed similarly and braided their hair the same way. A blue mark on the forehead in Eagle of Delight's portrait helped Mahaska tell the two women apart.
Copies of the paintings were sent to Chief Mahaska and to Shaumonekusse. They were happy to have paintings of their mother and wife.
The original portrait of Eagle of Delight was sadly lost in a fire. This fire happened at the Smithsonian Institution in 1865. However, a copy of the painting was given to the White House in 1962. This copy now hangs in the White House Library. There is also another portrait of Hayne Hudjihini by artist Henry Inman. This painting is on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It shows her unique beauty and how she carried herself. She is shown wearing earrings, necklaces, and a silver bracelet.
Her Passing
Sadly, Hayne Hudjihini died shortly after her visit to Washington, D.C. She passed away in 1822 from measles. She likely caught the illness during her travels.
