Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A review of "The Urine Dance of the Zuni Indians of New Mexico"
On a November evening in 1881, John Bourke was invited to witness an obscure Native American ceremony in Zuni, New Mexico.This short monograph (approx. 7 pages) records his observations and impressions.

If you are not acquainted with John G. Bourke you should know that he served for 14 years as Gen. Crook's aid-de-camp (3rd Cavalry, beginning in 1871), and that he was recognized in his own lifetime as an important ethnologist.[No less than Sigmund Freud penned a preface for the German translation of his work: "Scatological Rites of All Nations".]Classically educated (first at home and then at West Point) Bourke came to the West as a man of keen intellect and curiosity.As a lieutenant and then captain, he had an opportunity to witnessmuch of the 'raw' West -- both land and peoples-- before they began to be transformed by contact with white culture.

In the case of this monograph, one will find descriptions ofcostumes and body artwork duly noted."[T]he hair was worn naturally with a bunch of wild turkey feathers tied in front, and one of corn-husks over each ear."Bourke then goes on in more detail to describe the movements of the participants until the moment when his scientific objectivity is severely tried.He writes that towards the end of the presentation "a squaw entered, carrying an "olla" of urine, of which the filthy brutes drank heartily."

"I refused to believe the evidence of my senses, and asked
Gushing if that were really human urine. "Why, certain
ly," replied he, "and here comes more of it." This time,
it was a large tin pail-full, not less than two gallons. I
was standing by the squaw as she offered this strange and
abominable refreshment. She made a motion with her
hand to indicate to me that it was urine, and one of the old
men repeated the Spanish word mear (to urinate), while
my sense of smell demonstrated the truth of their statements.

Being a man of his time, Bourke was duly repulsed.But true to his intellect he later attempts to put the episode into a broader context, recalling both an article in the Lancet, and an episode recorded in the Bible (II Kings, xviii, 27) that references similar activities.

Four Stars. [B-]This open source monograph was penned by Capt. John G. Bourke of the 3rd Cavalry.The topic is an obscure Zuni ceremony that involves the consumption of urine.The author, an aide-de-camp of General Crook, attempts to explain the episode in a historical and global context.While a significant primary source, it is unlikely to be of widespread interest.

~reviewed by Pam T. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This is the first comprehensive examination of the history and role of the Omaha dance lodges-circular structures that blended earth lodge design and symbolism with late nineteenth century Euro-American architectural materials and elements on the Omaha Reservation in northeastern Nebraska. ... Read more

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This study of the 1870 and 1890 Ghost Dance movements among North American Indians offers an innovative theory about why these movements arose when they did. Emphasizing the demographic situation of American Indians prior to the movements, Professor Thornton argues that the Ghost Dances were deliberate efforts to accomplish a demographic revitalization of American Indians following their virtual collapse. By joining the movements, he contends, tribes sought to assure survival by increasing their numbers through returning the dead to life. Thornton supports this thesis empirically by closely examining the historical context of the two movements and by assessing tribal participation in them, revealing particularly how population size and decline influenced participation among and within American Indian tribes. He also considers American Indian population change after the Ghost Dance periods and shows that participation in the movements actually did lead the way to a demographic recovery for certain tribes. This occurred, Thornton argues, not, of course, by returning dead American Indians to life, but by creating enhanced tribal solidarity. This solidarity enabled participating tribes to maintain their membership at a historical point when American Indians were socially and biologically 'migrating' away from tribal populations. As well as being of intrinsic interest, Thornton's findings have broad implications for the study of revitalization and other social movements. They are particularly important with regard to the circumstances fostering social movements and the rational basis of social movement participation. ... Read more

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Fascinating U.S. Government ethnological study made at the turn of the century explores the use of katcinas—Hopi god symbols—in Pueblo Indian culture. 260 katcina figures on 62 black-and-white plates are reproduced here from original drawings by native artists. 62 plates. 260 black-and-white figures. Introduction.
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First-hand investigation of Iroquois songs and dances by a modern dancer turned anthropologist. Includes descriptions, analysis, and diagrams of dance variants and words and music for dozens of songs and dances. Introduction by Tara Browner. Illustrations. Linguistic note. Songs and texts.
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In this great dance/song book one will visit Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Argentina, Panama and Mexico. All will enjoy Fado Blanquita * Huyano * El Llanero * Marinera * Palapala * Vos Viejitos * Si Señor * Tamborito. Text background on many songs is included. ... Read more

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Friends and cultural historians of many Indian families among the Sioux, Crow, and Shoshone-Bannock, Reginald and Gladys Laubin devoted their lives to preserving a vanishing culture by presenting authentic Indian dances, costumes, and songs. Through their performances, the Laubins helped white Americans to appreciate these expressions of Native culture as an art that should be preserved. Applauded by audiences across the United States and in Europe, Israel, and Africa, the Laubins were also praised by Indians of many tribes as worthy envoys of their cultures. In addition to live performances, which they continued into the late 1980s, the Laubins wrote and illustrated books on American Indian tipis, dances, and archery. The Laubins' endeavors belong to a bygone age, but this little book celebrates, within the proper historical context, their accomplishments and their true dedication to serving and preserving Native American culture. Their extensive collection of Indian artifacts are part of the permanent display in the Americas Gallery of the Spurlock Museum on the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois. ... Read more