Post by Cliff Krainik on Jul 28, 2004 22:54:21 GMT -5
George Catlin Sac and Fox Gallery
Here are a few contemporary depictions of Sac and Fox Indians by George Catlin. They are lithographs from the 1913 printing of NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS published in Philadelphia.
Print size, 9 7/8 by 6 1/4 inches approximately.
These lithographs were printed in colors true to Catlin's originals first published in the 1840s. Catlin traveled throughout America from 1832-39, painting portraits of many Native American tribes and making extensive notes on their manners, customs and conditions for his landmark work on Indian life.
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Fig. 291 - SACS AND FOXES
THE SLAVE-DANCE. Catlin wrote, "...[this dance] is a picturesque scene, and the custom in which it is founded a very curious one. This tribe has a society which they call the ‘slaves,’ composed of a number of the young men of the best families in the tribe, who volunteer to be slaves for the term of two years, and subject to perform any menial service that the chief may order, no matter how humiliating or how degrading it may be; by which, after serving their two years, they are exempt for the rest of their lives, on war-parties or other excursions, or wherever they may be–from all labour or degrading occupations, such as cooking, making fires, etc."
Fig. 293 - SACS AND FOXES
THE BEGGING DANCE. Catlin wrote, "...[this dance] is a frequent amusement, and one that has been practised with some considerable success at this time, whilst there have been so many distinguished and liberal visitors here. It is got up by a number of desperate and long-winded fellows, who will dance and yell their visitors into liberality; of, if necessary, laugh them into it, by their strange antics, singing a song of importunity, and extending their hands for presents, which they allege are to gladden the hearts of the poor, and ensure a blessing to the giver."
Fig. 295 – SACS AND FOXES
THE DISCOVERY DANCE. Catlin wrote of this view, "...[this dance] pleased the bystanders very much; it was exceedingly droll and picturesque, and acted out with a great deal of pantomimic effect–without music, or any other noise than the patting of their feet, which all came simultaneously on the ground, in perfect time, whilst they were dancing forward two or four at a time, in a skulking posture, overlooking the country, and professing to announce the approach of animals or enemies which they have discovered, by giving the signals back to the leader of the dance."
Figs. 297 - SACS
DANCE TO THE MEDICINE OF THE BRAVES "In this Fig. Is represented a party of Sac warriors who have returned victorious from battle, with scalps ... but having lost one of their party, they appear and dance in front of his wigwam, fifteen days in succession, ... whilst they are throwing presents to the widow to heal her grief...."
Original lithographs from the Black Hawk War Collection, Cliff and Michele Krainik, Warrenton, Virginia.