Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2009 School for Advanced Research.
"Zuni Dance"
Date: ca.1918
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Overall: 36.2 x 30.5 cm (14 1/4 x 12 in.)
Overall1: 36.2 x 30.5 cm (14 1/4 x 12 in.)
Medium: paper: heavy weight, wove, cream | paint, watercolor | pencil
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.P33
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit June 10 and 11, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 2”): The two dancers depicted in this painting are called Hemosona. (Hemosona is plural; the singular is Hemosi.) They are the leaders of the Helili dance group. They each have a whip racer snake hanging in their beard (a real one). The tail of the snake wraps up behind the head and is incorporated into the headdress. The tail is attached to springs so that it looks like the snake is moving as the dancers move. The headdress also includes a mallard duck, two eagle feathers, and dyed chicken feathers. The Hemosona are wearing bobcat skins over their shoulders. They are wearing kilts with blue fabric panels stitched to them. The blue panels can be decorated with painted, embroidered, or appliquéd designs. They are holding yucca whips in their hands, which are used for disciplining other dancers and children.
In Collection(s)
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