Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Stew bowl | Wolaya sa'leh
Date: c. 1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
25.4 x 52.1 cm (10 x 20 1/2 in.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1269
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”): This bowl is an example of the large communal bowls that are used inside the kiva for certain ceremonies. It is quite heavy by itself and if it were filled with food it would be too heavy to carry. The smaller stew bowls that are brought to the kiva by women are emptied into larger ones like this, which remain stationary in the kiva and are not generally carried around. They may hold posole or red chile or other foods. This food is then shared with the whole group of ceremony participants in the kiva. The leader of the kiva is responsible for washing the large food bowls. They are turned upside down for storage between uses. This type of bowl can also be used for ceremonial washing of hands and hair.
In Collection(s)
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.