Buffalo Dancers

Awa Tsireh, Buffalo Dancers, ca. 1920-1930, watercolor and pencil on paperboard, sheet: 8 x 10 ¹⁄₈ in. (20.4 x 25.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin, 1979.144.37

Artwork Details

Title: Buffalo Dancers
Artist: Awa Tsireh
Date: ca. 1920-1930
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: sheet: 8 x 10 ¹⁄₈ in. (20.4 x 25.6 cm)
Credit Line: Corbin-Henderson Collection, gift of Alice H. Rossin
Mediums: pencil
watercolor
Mediums Description: watercolor and pencil on paperboard
Classifications: Painting
Subjects: Ceremony — dance — Buffalo Dance
Dress — ceremonial — Indian dress
Indian
Figure group
Object Number: 1979.144.37
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1979.144.37

Artwork Description

Pueblo Indian Dances

Ceremonial dances, which are central to the religion, spirituality, and community ties of the Pueblo peoples, are among the most important subjects of Awa Tsireh's paintings. Many ritual events are held to unify families and to ensure agricultural success, and are tied to the seasons of the year. Awa Tsireh depicted primarily the dances of his own San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico, but unlike most of his peers, he also painted rituals held at our Pueblos. Many of the dances are open to the public, but others are reserved only for members of the village. Awa Tsireh was careful to guard the secret rituals from outside eyes.