Lot of 5 Vintage Apache Crown Dancer-Spirit Dancer Oil Paintings On Wood

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This is a lot of 5 vintage oil p aintings on wood th at dep icts Apache Native American Cro wn Dancers or Spirit Dancers who are wearing ornate Cr ow n Ma sks and are holding a wood swords in each hand . The frames are 9 by 11 3/4 inches in size. The painted imag es are approximately 6 by 4 inches in size. The paintings are in excellent condition. The paintings are not signed . O n two of the pa intings there is some water stain ing but they staining does not go into the image. The Tonto Apache Tribe celebrated the triumph of its long struggle to come home to a portion of their ancestral lands last week with days of celebrations, many private to tribal members — some open to the public. The dance of the masked Apache Crown Dancers were among the most vivid events, a public version of a deeply sacred ceremony with deep roots in Apache culture. #The dancers impersonate the G’an Mountain Spirits, the guardians and guides for the people in traditional Apache culture. Anthropologist Morris Edward Opler wrote a vivid, foundational account of these ceremonies in their full cultural context. Originally published in 1941, “An Apache Life-Way” remains an invaluable introduction to many elements of Apache culture and spiritual belief. Photo by Andy Towle White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers at Tonto Apache recognition Days Photo by Andy Towle White Mountain Apache Crown Dancer #Many dances involved the masked G’an, skillful dancers who impersonated these sacred spirits and so became so imbued with power that it was dangerous to touch them as they danced, according to Opler’s account. So the dances also employed clowns, who cavorted and carried messages from the enthusiastically participating audience to the dancers and back again. The clowns expressed the irrepressible, delighted Apache sense of humor. And the dances — and dancers — drew their meaning and energy from the culture’s pervasive spirituality, mindful of the energy and spiritual power that imbued rocks, trees, animals and the whole world with meaning and consciousness. The spiritual practice of traditional Apache culture pervaded everything and so also found expression in the details of everyday life. #The traditional Apache culture honored a personal freedom and individualism, while also stressing the sacred obligation to the group. The G’an dancers perfectly captured that mixture, with each dancer developing their own style and steps and sequence — within an ancient framework. The drummers and callers and singers also expressed their individual artistry, with the dancers reacting quickly, creatively and individually to the almost improvisational shifts of the singers. Some sets of songs and rhythms left the dancers free to improvise — the so-called “free step” songs. Some recurred them to stop and dance in place. #Opler offers a wonderful account of the preparations, complete with songs to accompany the preparations — and the performanc ePlease super size the photos and look them over closely as they give the best indication of the condition of the item. Please see the other items that we currently have listed on eBay. I ship the same or next day that I receive the payment. PAYMENT IS BY PAY PAL ONLY FOR ALL PURCHASES. ALSO PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL NOT FALSIFY VALUES OF ITEMS ON CUSTOMS AND INSURANCE DOCUMENTS. THE BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CUSTOMS FEES. I will combine shipping usually for a max of 2 items unless they are very small then, I can include more than two. I can’t ship two items or more for the same cost as one item, but the cost will be less than adding up the single item’s shipping costs. IF BIDDING FROM THE US PLEASE READ Shipping costs in the lower US 48 states will be $ 19.00 . See the other items that we currently have listed on eBay. PAYMENT BY PAY PAL ONLY. Buyer to pay shipping costs by USPS Priority Mail . I WILL PAY FOR THE INSURANCE ON HIGH PRICED ITEMS. If you have a history of bad feedback, or private feedback... read more

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