Lakota beaded hide coat, ca. 1890. Cut beads, metal buttons, cotton cloth, hide
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. has opened a major exhibition this fall that explores one of the greatest sagas of human contact with the animal world -American Indians and horses. It opened three weeks ago.
From the website:
“The story of the relationship of Native peoples and horses is one of the great sagas of human contact with the animal world. Native peoples have traditionally regarded the animals in our lives as fellow creatures with which a common destiny is shared. When American Indians encountered horses—which some tribes call the Horse Nation—they found an ally, inspiring and useful in times of peace, and intrepid in times of war. Horses transformed Native life and became a central part of many tribal cultures.”
The exhibit tells the story of how the return of horses to the Americas by Christopher Columbus changed everything for Indians – from the way they travelled, hunted, and waged war to how they celebrated generosity exhibited bravery and conducted ceremonies.
There are lifesize Lakota tipi, 110 hand-painted horse figures, life-size model horses and a display of fully beaded traditional Crow regalia.
The exhibit is open through January 7th, 2013.
You can get more information at their website by clicking HERE.