The Herd Dance by Pablita Velardé
The basic purpose of all animal dances is to maintain harmony with the animals to be hunted and to honor them for the food and clothing they provide for the Pueblo people. The Herd Dance depicts a group of male dancers costumed as deer, antelope, and mountain sheep, led by two buffalo dancers. The male dancers wear the kilts and feather-trimmed headresses common to many ceremonial dancers. With the exception of the buffalo dancers, they carry ornamental sticks, simulating forelegs, and are bent over in the position of four-legged animals. Pablita has painted herself as Buffalo Maiden, whose face bears a striking resemblance to her own.
The Artist
Pablita Velarde is a native of Santa Clara Pueblo who now lives in Albuquerque. She learned painting techniques at the Santa Fe Indian School, now the Institute of American Indian Art, and dreamed of interpreting the traditions of her people through art. She overcame many obstacles and tried other pursuits, such as nursing and typing, before returning to the field she knew and loved. In addition to painting, she has sculpted clay figurines and has written and illustrated a book., Old Grandfather's Tales. Her work can be seen in the Museum of New York's Hall of Ethnology, the De Young Museum of San Francisco, many southwestern galleries, and numerous private collections. In 1954 she was decorated by the French government.