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Native American Indian Photos
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES

A Hamatsa Costume
Nakoaktok 1914
Unframed Photographic Print

w 12" h 16" $29.95


w 8.5" h 11" $24.95


The Hamatsa society is the highest ranking Kwakiutl secret society proud to perform the most important Kwakiutl dance, a winter initiation ceremony for the newest members of the society. It is 4 days long and very complex. The Hamatsa dancers represent a cannibal spirit who lives in the sky, Bakbakwalanooksiwae. Boas translated the spirit's name to mean "cannibal at the north end of the world." Bakbakwalanooksiwae is invisible and the Hamatsa dancers are thought to each represent one of his many mouths. His presence is made known though a strange whistling sound which is supposed to be the wind blowing through his millions of mouths. On the first day of the ceremony, the novice member is possessed by the Bakbakwalanooksiwae spirit and wanders into the woods, and is not seen again until the last day of the dance. The rest of the dance involves the frenzied dancing of the Hamatsa dancers, and a final appearance of the initiate Hamatsa performing a symbolic re-enactment of Bakbakwalanooksiwae's first cannibal experience. Hamatsa Raven, Kwakwakalanooksiwae, is considered to be the most important role of the ceremony, and is reserved for only senior members of the Hamatsa.


Photo by Edward S. Curtis

Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) is one of the best-known photographers of Native Americans. He devoted 30 years during the beginning of the 20th century to documenting the customs and lifestyle of more than 80 Native American tribes. Through his photography, he captured the beauty and intricacies of Indian life.

The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis is one of the most significant and controversial representations of traditional American Indian culture ever produced. Issued in a limited edition from 1907-1930, the publication continues to exert a major influence on the image of Indians in popular culture. Curtis said he wanted to document "the old time Indian, his dress, his ceremonies, his life and manners." In over 2000 photogravure plates and narrative, Curtis portrayed the traditional customs and lifeways of eighty Indian tribes. The twenty volumes, each with an accompanying portfolio, are organized by tribes and culture areas encompassing the Great Plains, Great Basin, Plateau Region, Southwest, California, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska.
-- from The United States Library of Congress

Made to the highest quality standards using archival inks that have been rated to last 100+ years. Premium matte paper is a durable, high-end paper that produces crystal clear images.
The method used is a fine-art process called Giclée. This is a high quality process typically used by museums and professionals to produce high quality, large format art.

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