Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952)
View Artist Biography
SOLD
Title:
Plate 592 Offering to the Sun - San Ildefonso
Date:
1925
Size:
Portfolio, 22 x 18 inches
Medium:
Vintage Photogravure
Two ceremonially significant days were the winter and summer solstices. The midwinter prayer to the sun is the opportunity for the War Chief to give a message to the people.
The prayer of the War Chief extended beyond himself when he goes out and passes from place to place, offering meal and praying. Also, at this time he calls aloud at several places, arousing the sleepers: “My dear people of the pueblo, I wish you to get up. Let all be thankful that a new day comes. Let us pray for good health and good luck and long life. Let all pray to the east. For I am the war-chief and I am not able to pray for all of you alone. I must have help. Please come forth and help me, and ask for what we need for this new year. We must have good luck for our crops and our stock and our children. Let us all try to help one another, each one adding to his prayer.” From Volume 16 of The North American Indian by Edward Sheriff Curtis
The prayer of the War Chief extended beyond himself when he goes out and passes from place to place, offering meal and praying. Also, at this time he calls aloud at several places, arousing the sleepers: “My dear people of the pueblo, I wish you to get up. Let all be thankful that a new day comes. Let us pray for good health and good luck and long life. Let all pray to the east. For I am the war-chief and I am not able to pray for all of you alone. I must have help. Please come forth and help me, and ask for what we need for this new year. We must have good luck for our crops and our stock and our children. Let us all try to help one another, each one adding to his prayer.” From Volume 16 of The North American Indian by Edward Sheriff Curtis