Feather fans were used for ceremonial purposes by the ruling Incas of South America. Ritual as a performance requires actors and spectators with a shared foundation of symbols, and is therefore inextricably linked to a given context of social identity, tradition and meaning. Acts like vocalization, dance, and sacrifice are all examples of common elements, and many such acts require theatrical props for ornamentation. Fans played a significant part in the rituals as they could represent wealth and status as well refer symbolically to the concept of certain spirits.
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