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PLATE 138

Ethnographic Notes

Arrow and his Nisson comrade again are riding together on the same horse, as in Plate 106, but this time the mount is Arrow's black stallion with the uncut ears, from Plates 104, 124 & 140. Arrow holds the reins, while the comrade sits behind, wearing the blue-striped shirt from Plate 124, and holding onto Arrow's waist.

Something has startled the horse, causing him to rear onto his hind legs, snapping his head down then up, and throwing off the silver-mounted headstall, which dangles from the bit. Again, as in Plate 32, this provides Arrow with an opportunity to give a diagrammatic view of the bridle. The lead line attached to the halter has also been pulled loose from Arrow's waist, and trails between the horse's front legs. Although the two Cheyennes are sitting on nothing but a loose Chimayo blanket, at an angle of forty-five degrees on the back of a plunging horse, they have not been thrown, nor even lost their suave composure.

Since this scene follows the sham battle, probably it also occurred during the four days of the Medicine Lodge ceremony. The fact that the other rider at the right has his head buried under an umbrella denotes that the time is hot midday. It was common for young, male spectators to surround the Sun Dance lodge, sitting on their horses so they could look over the heads of crowds women and children standing or seated on the ground. Compare Grinnell, 1923, II: opp. 288. Most likely, that is what Arrow is depicting here.

At least as early as the 1860's, umbrellas and multi-colored parasols were commonly available, and very popular among the Southern Cheyennes. See the 1870 Will Soule photo of a Cheyenne group at Camp Supply (Grinnell, 1915; reprinted 1956: opp. 303, top), where the rider at the right holds a parasol.


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Provenance

Various owners (dispersed). Collected in 1882 at Darlington, Indian Territory (Oklahoma) by Sallie C. Maffet....

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Document Info
Plate No: 43
Page No: 138
Media:
Dimensions: 8.5 * 14 inches
Custodian
Various Private Owners
Artist
Arrow
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