"It was—and is—a classic study of American Indian religious and therapeutic ceremonial and belief. Fenton's careful description of much of his own field work, and his biographical sketches and photographs of people and things, bring back the flavor of life of the Iroquois reservations half a century ago."—Anthony F. C. Wallace
"The combining of field ethnography and choreographic and musical analyses are here carried farther than in any previous similar work on American Indians."—The U.S. Quarterly Book Review
Description
Originally published as Bulletin 156 of the Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution in 1953, this volume explores the celebration of the Eagle Dance in New York and Canada during the 1930s and its relationship to the widespread Calumet Dance of the 17th century. Also included is Kurath ‘s detailed analysis of the Eagle Dance music and choreography, based on Fenton’s recordings and on her own observations of local performances.
About the Author
William N. Fenton is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of The False Faces of the Iroquois, The Roll Call of the lroq1wis Chiefs, and editor of Parker on the Iroquois.
Related Interest
October 1991
