Well-Worn Moccasin

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved
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These moccasins look like they've danced in many Pow Wows.  Did you notice the large jingle bell toward the end of the moccasin?

“Don't judge any man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins”
Indian Proverb

Two Little Indians

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved

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As I made this photograph I could see that these young boys were coming into their own.  They were starting to get the swagger that all boys get when they reach puberty.  They were beginning to strut their stuff and their costumes made it all the better.  I feel like I captured the feeling in the photograph.

"As kids approach puberty, parents should talk about sex and set up the right kinds of guidelines for social interaction."

Lawrence Cohen quotes

Roach Headdress

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved

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I love the headdress on this boy.  I wanted to run my hand over it to see how it felt.  Apparently they're called "roach headdresses."  Porcupine roaches can be commonly seen at powwows, where they are still worn as regalia by male dancers from many different tribes.  They were not generally as spiritually meaningful as warbonnet headdresses, though a boy earning the right to wear a roach for the first time was an important ceremony in some tribes.  As I look at this photo, it does not appear to me that these are made of porcupine quills.

“A crown, golden in show is but a wreath of thorns.”

John Milton quotes (English Poet, Historian and Scholar. Ranks second, only to Shakespeare, among English poets. 1608-1674

This Little Indian

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved

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There was the cutest little boy in his Native American costume who kept wanting to get his picture taken.  He just kept looking and grinning.  What a happy little cutie.  

I wish with all my heart that you may be the most lovable prince in the world, and I bestow my gift on you as much as I am able. 

Charles Perrault

Native American Close-Up

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved
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I used Photoshop on this photograph to turn it into a painting.  I liked it better because I thought the original photograph was too harsh.  This man's face was so compelling in the way it was painted with a mask instead of wearing one.  I've included the original photograph so you could see both.

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. 

Oscar Wilde

Native American Dancer

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved
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I like this photograph because you can see how much movement it takes the dancer to move all the feathers and accoutrements of his costume. It seemed to me that this costume might have weighed a lot.  The dancers had lots of energy and stamina because each dance lasted about 10 minutes.  Each tribe had their own drummers and all the tribes' drum beats were completely different.

To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. 

Hopi Indian Saying

Indian Princess

© copyright Linda Swanson all rights reserved

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A few years ago I had the privilege of going to an authentic Indian Pow Wow.  I was in Oklahoma City and I believe this happens every year.  Many tribes come together and compete with their own tribe's dance and music.  Their costumes are amazingly detailed.  Each tribe is distinctive in dress and dance.  I haven't ever done anything with the photographs so I thought that maybe I'd put several of them up on this post this month.  It's worth looking at these photos up close to see the detail of the costuming.  I can only imagine the hours it took to put these costumes together, along with the expense of the materials.  I hope you enjoy!

Certain things catch your eye, But pursue only those that capture your heart.
An old indian saying