Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952)

View Artist Biography
Back to Thumbnails
 
Edward S. Curtis - *50% OFF OPPORTUNITY* Atsina Fly Dance - Vintage Photogravure - Volume, 9.5 x 12.5 inches - In the dance of the Fly society, which lasted but one day, the performers were of four grades; the leader, who unpainted, wore a buffalo robe, hairy inside and out, and carried a wand; the pledger of the ceremony, who was painted yellow: four "elder brothers," members of companies which had already given the Fly Dance, who painted yellow, acted as guides in the dance; and finally, the rank and file of members, who were painted with white stripes across cheeds and nose, on arms and legs and across abdomen, and with a band of red around the neck. The Grandfathers chewed an herb which they rubbed on the dancers to make them brace and strong. Each of the ordinary dancers carried a stick about three feet long with a cactus thorn at the end. About noon the members of the society assembled in their lodge and began to walk about the circle, then danced up and down without shifting from their places. While thus dancing they held their robes outstretched, wing fashion, and made a humming noise like mosquitoes. At the close of a dance, while still forming a circle, all fell to their knees and touched their heads to the ground. When the fourth dance was ended, the Flies were at liberty during the next two hours or so to pursue all bystanders and to prick them with their gads. At the close of this sport they gathered in the centre of the camp and ran four races, then proceeded to their lodge and feasted on meat which one of their members had cooked.
Title:
*50% OFF OPPORTUNITY* Atsina Fly Dance
Date:
1908
Size:
Volume, 9.5 x 12.5 inches
Medium:
Vintage Photogravure
 
In the dance of the Fly society, which lasted but one day, the performers were of four grades; the leader, who unpainted, wore a buffalo robe, hairy inside and out, and carried a wand; the pledger of the ceremony, who was painted yellow: four "elder brothers," members of companies which had already given the Fly Dance, who painted yellow, acted as guides in the dance; and finally, the rank and file of members, who were painted with white stripes across cheeds and nose, on arms and legs and across abdomen, and with a band of red around the neck. The Grandfathers chewed an herb which they rubbed on the dancers to make them brace and strong. Each of the ordinary dancers carried a stick about three feet long with a cactus thorn at the end. About noon the members of the society assembled in their lodge and began to walk about the circle, then danced up and down without shifting from their places. While thus dancing they held their robes outstretched, wing fashion, and made a humming noise like mosquitoes. At the close of a dance, while still forming a circle, all fell to their knees and touched their heads to the ground. When the fourth dance was ended, the Flies were at liberty during the next two hours or so to pursue all bystanders and to prick them with their gads. At the close of this sport they gathered in the centre of the camp and ran four races, then proceeded to their lodge and feasted on meat which one of their members had cooked.
INQUIRE
View Artist Biography
Back to Thumbnails