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The Snake Priest

Scope and Content Notes

Leather album page with a photograph of a bronze Indian, Hopi Medicine Man, and a rattle snake. Remarks for the photograph include, "the rattle snake is very sacred among the Hopi Indians as he has the power to bring rain and many are used to carry out their religious snake dance. Snake priests go out into the desert to catch as many as they need and in order to catch them they tickle them with a bunch of eagle feathers called 'a snake whip' until they uncoil and start to wriggle away. The priest then catches them by the neck with his bare hands and puts them in a bag. The one who catches the greatest number is much favored by Sun, the most powerful God of their religion, who gives heat, light, and life to the earth."

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Title(s): 
The Snake Priest
Creator(s): 
Charles Marion Russell (Artist)
George D. Sack (Author)
Culture: 
American
Date: 
1914
Materials/Techniques: 
gelatin silver process
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gilcrease Museum/The University of Tulsa
Accession No: 
TU2009.39.8387.17
Previous Number(s): 
E.407; 45765; E.407 (Colorado Springs number)
Department: 
Not On View

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