Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2009 School for Advanced Research.
Robe | Mi'ha
Date: 1930s
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
118.1 × 100.4 cm (46 1/2 × 39 1/2 in.)
Medium: wool | dyes
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, for inclusion in the Mary Austin Memorial Collection, 1941.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.T357
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit April 6 and 7, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 1”): This is a ceremonial textile that would have been used for many ceremonial dances, including Shalako (but not just Shalako). The Zuni word for it is mi’ha. Mi’has are woven by men and embroidered by women. It is now common for people to buy the plain cloth and then embroider it at Zuni. They are items owned by individuals, but which are often loaned to others for ceremonial use. This piece should be considered ceremonial because it would certainly have been worn at ceremonies. Though it was worn at ceremonies, they would not have been the types of ceremony that would have imbued the textile with a level of sacredness such that it must be kept from the general public. It is okay for photography and publication by anyone and has no special storage or handling restrictions.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Pueblo Indian Textiles
- Pg. 59
- Fig. Figure 40
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.