Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2009 School for Advanced Research.
"Zuni Dance"
Date: before 1933
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Overall: 40.6 x 57.2 cm (16 x 22 1/2 in.)
Overall1: 40.6 x 57.2 cm (16 x 22 1/2 in.)
Medium: paper | paint, watercolor
Credit Line: Gift of Mary Austin.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.P30
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”): Mr. Enote and Mr. Seowtewa confirmed that a good descriptive title for this piece is “Young Men’s Initiation Ceremony in the Central Plaza.” (Other scenes from this ceremony are depicted in IAF.P29 and IAF.P183.) In this scene we can see some of the partners that accompany each Salimobia. Each of the Salimobias is accompanied in this ceremony by a partner. Not all of the Salimobias or their partners are depicted in this painting. Depicted are a black, red, white, and yellow Salimobia. There are two U’bóyona, who are partners to the black Salimobias. There is one Nawesho, who is partner to the blue Salimobias. Nawesho is associated with water. There are only three koyemshis shown here, though 10 would actually be present.
Salimobias are dancers that participate in certain dances and ceremonies at Zuni. There are a total of 12 of them. Each of the six kivas at Zuni has a Salimobia group. They come in six colors, representing the six kivas and the six directions. There is yellow, blue, red, white, black, and multi-colored. (The multi-colored Salimobias are painted in blocks of purple, black, red, white, and two shades of blue.)There is two of each color, for a total of 12 Salimobias. They are disciplinarian figures that keep order during ceremonies.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
"Zuni Religion and Philosophy"
- Pg. 29
- Fig. N/A
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.