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Edward Curtis &Edward Curtis &The Pomo IndiansThe Pomo Indians
"The information that is to be gathered ... respecting "The information that is to be gathered ... respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be must be collected at once or the opportunity will be
lost."lost."~ Edward S. Curtis in the introduction to ~ Edward S. Curtis in the introduction to The North The North
American IndianAmerican Indian, Vol. I, 1907, Vol. I, 1907
By: Katie Lockwood
Edward CurtisEdward Curtis His work became most famous after he diedHis work became most famous after he died One volume of “The North American Indian” sells One volume of “The North American Indian” sells
for thousands of dollarsfor thousands of dollars He spent many years just gaining the trust of the He spent many years just gaining the trust of the
Indians and later he was rewarded by being able to Indians and later he was rewarded by being able to get so many opportunities for photographs and get so many opportunities for photographs and interaction that other people couldn’t getinteraction that other people couldn’t get
Without him a large amount of Indian culture would Without him a large amount of Indian culture would be lost and even harder to salvage todaybe lost and even harder to salvage today
His field notes provided good ethnology for both His field notes provided good ethnology for both anthropologists and the general publicanthropologists and the general public
Uniqueness of Curtis’ PhotographyUniqueness of Curtis’ Photography
Golden tone prints Golden tone prints named “Curt tones”named “Curt tones”
Spent time and money Spent time and money on materials not on materials not expecting a profitexpecting a profit
Wanted his photos to Wanted his photos to have a life like qualityhave a life like quality
Did all of this as an Did all of this as an effort to preserve Indian effort to preserve Indian cultureculture
The Pomo TribeThe Pomo Tribe
One of the best known tribes in CaliforniaOne of the best known tribes in California At the time of publication of “The North At the time of publication of “The North
American Indian” there were 1,200 living American Indian” there were 1,200 living Pomo Pomo
This included 30 villages that were culturally This included 30 villages that were culturally diverse and in various culture areasdiverse and in various culture areas
Pomo women best known for their success in Pomo women best known for their success in art and basket makingart and basket making
Pomo LivingPomo Living
Men usually were naked or wore limited clothingMen usually were naked or wore limited clothing Women wore short kilts, and simple clothingWomen wore short kilts, and simple clothing Necklaces were made of magnesite and clam shell beads and Necklaces were made of magnesite and clam shell beads and
were worth approximately $20were worth approximately $20 Moved locations in the summer to stay coolMoved locations in the summer to stay cool Most dependable food was nuts (acorns specifically)Most dependable food was nuts (acorns specifically) Very few disagreements between tribesVery few disagreements between tribes Families were lead by one chief and followed a patriarchal Families were lead by one chief and followed a patriarchal
formform Men had the duty to maintain general welfare without powerMen had the duty to maintain general welfare without power
Pomo Beliefs and PracticesPomo Beliefs and Practices
The Pomo had two ceremonial The Pomo had two ceremonial rituals including the “Ghost rituals including the “Ghost Dance,” during which the dead Dance,” during which the dead were recognized and the “Far were recognized and the “Far South,” which was a rite of South,” which was a rite of passage for children of the passage for children of the tribe. tribe.
The majority of Pomo myths The majority of Pomo myths involved the adventures of involved the adventures of Coyote and his friend LizardCoyote and his friend Lizard
Salvage EthnologySalvage Ethnology
Curtis wanted a first hand account Curtis wanted a first hand account of Indian lifestyle of Indian lifestyle
When members of the tribes die, When members of the tribes die, they take their culture with themthey take their culture with them
Today Curtis’ field notes and Today Curtis’ field notes and photographs capture elements of photographs capture elements of culture that may not have ever culture that may not have ever been knownbeen known
Although Curtis was not Although Curtis was not considered and anthropologist in considered and anthropologist in his time, his works show his time, his works show significant value for many people significant value for many people today, including anthropologiststoday, including anthropologists
Effect on mainstream American Effect on mainstream American CultureCulture
Increased cultural curiosity about the Native Increased cultural curiosity about the Native American peopleAmerican people
Reactions of both enjoyment and disgustReactions of both enjoyment and disgust Preserve culture? Romanticize? Beauty? Truth? Preserve culture? Romanticize? Beauty? Truth?
Assumption Native American life was Assumption Native American life was doomed and vanishingdoomed and vanishing
Some said his work was stereotypicalSome said his work was stereotypical
QuotesQuotes I have the ability, strength, and determination to finish . . . I have the ability, strength, and determination to finish . . .
but have gone to the end of my means and must ask but have gone to the end of my means and must ask someone to join me in the undertaking and make it possible someone to join me in the undertaking and make it possible for all ages of Americans to see what the American Indian for all ages of Americans to see what the American Indian was like."was like."~ Edward S. Curtis in a letter to J.P. Morgan, January 23, ~ Edward S. Curtis in a letter to J.P. Morgan, January 23, 19061906
"The passing of every old man or woman means the passing "The passing of every old man or woman means the passing of some tradition, some knowledge of sacred rites possessed of some tradition, some knowledge of sacred rites possessed by no other."by no other."~ Edward S. Curtis, ~ Edward S. Curtis, The North American IndianThe North American Indian, Vol. I, , Vol. I, 19071907
BibliographyBibliography Baxter, William. “Frontier Photographer Edward Curtis” Smithsonian Institution Baxter, William. “Frontier Photographer Edward Curtis” Smithsonian Institution
Libraries. http://www.sil.si.edu/Exhibitions/Curtis/index.htmLibraries. http://www.sil.si.edu/Exhibitions/Curtis/index.htm Friedman, Kerim. Friedman, Kerim. “Vanishing Race and the Ethnographic “Vanishing Race and the Ethnographic
Present”Present” 9-17-2005 http://savageminds.org/2005/09/17/vanishing-race- 9-17-2005 http://savageminds.org/2005/09/17/vanishing-race-and-and- the-ethnographic-present/the-ethnographic-present/
Northwestern University Library, Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Edward S.
Curtis's "The North American Indian,"Curtis's "The North American Indian," 2003. 2003. http://http://digital.library.northwesterdigital.library.northwester n.edu/curtisn.edu/curtis//
Ponce, Pedro. Ponce, Pedro. “The Imperfect Eye of Edward Curtis” “The Imperfect Eye of Edward Curtis” HumanitiesHumanities, , May/June 2000, May/June 2000, Volume 21/Number 3Volume 21/Number 3
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