Crow Dancer
Date20th Century
MediumPaper, wood
Dimensions25.5"x21.5"x1.25"
Classifications3D Object
Object number2008.029.49
DescriptionPARTIAL INVENTORY- Lithograph of Woody Crumbo's Crow Dancer similar to 2006.024.02/2008.27. The image depicts a dancer with their back to the front. They are wearing feather regalia on arms, back, and head (roach). The vest depicts a man on a horse. The dancer has bells are their ankles. The proper bottom right reads, "Crow Dancer (c)" and the proper bottom left reads, "Crumbo Woody M. Crumbo 338/950". Label on the back of 2006.024.02 reads, "Label on back reads, "In earlier years the “crow” or “bustle” as it is now commonly called, had great significance. Then it was little more than a mass of feathers, without too much organization in design. It was often referred to simply as a mass bustle. This mass bustle was symbolic of the nest of the thunder bird and had some connection with the early Sun Dance. The Sun Dance was a healing ceremony. Because of its symbolic affinity to the Crow Dance, in costume at least, and the beauty of its ceremony, let us digress a moment. Prior to the performance of the Sun Dance, a certain cottonwood tree was selected by four medicine men. Ceremonial prayers were made to the spirit of the tree. On the appointed day the tree was cut down and trimmed, leaving a large form some 15 feet above its base. Then, without allowing it to touch the ground, it was carried to the ceremonial Sun Dance ground and set up in a vertical position. Following this, a brush arbor was built and set up in a vertical position. Following this, a brush arbor was built in a complete circle around the tree, wherein the dance was to take place. Leaves from the tree were placed with other objects in the fork. This represented the nest of the thunder bird. Now the dancers prepared themselves for the physical ordeal of the performance. They would tie thongs from the form of the tree to their bodies, frequently cutting the flesh on their chests and threading the thongs through these vents. Thus fettered, they would dance back and forth keeping their attention on the thunder bird’s nest, which is symbolic of the sun. This dance lasted several days without a halt other than to bathe in a nearby stream. But while bathing the dancers were not permitted to drink. Nor did they drink at any time during the dance. When it was ended, is remarkable to note that the dancers had torn the thongs from the flesh of their chests. The two longer upright feathers on the bustle, with fluffy plumes attached to their tips, signified that the wearer had participated in the Sun Dance. The crow or bustle when worn in various dances, such as the War Dance, Grass Dance or Victory Dance, was actually a warning to the dancer that death was always at his heels. Therefore it behooved him to have a care in all his dealings". The inner matte is light blue, the outer matter is tan, and the frame is dark brown wood". The inner matte is red, the outer matte is light brown, and the frame is dark brown wood. Stacy wrote "Art.2008.49" on the back. Item is listed in the "Woody Crumbo Paintings Inventory March 23, 2005" as being located at "Clinic Front Entrance".Collections
Finding AidLithograph of Woody Crumbo's Crow Dancer similar to 2006.024.02/2008.029.27. The image depicts a dancer with their back to the front. They are wearing feathers on arms, back, and head (roach). The vest depicts a man on a horse. The dancer has bells are their ankles. The proper bottom right reads, "Crow Dancer (c)" and the proper bottom left reads, "Crumbo Woody M. Crumbo 338/950". Label on the back of 2006.024.02 reads, "Label on back reads, "In earlier years the “crow” or “bustle” as it is now commonly called, had great significance. Then it was little more than a mass of feathers, without too much organization in design. It was often referred to simply as a mass bustle. This mass bustle was symbolic of the nest of the thunder bird and had some connection with the early Sun Dance. The Sun Dance was a healing ceremony. Because of its symbolic affinity to the Crow Dance, in costume at least, and the beauty of its ceremony, let us digress a moment. Prior to the performance of the Sun Dance, a certain cottonwood tree was selected by four medicine men. Ceremonial prayers were made to the spirit of the tree. On the appointed day the tree was cut down and trimmed, leaving a large form some 15 feet above its base. Then, without allowing it to touch the ground, it was carried to the ceremonial Sun Dance ground and set up in a vertical position. Following this, a brush arbor was built and set up in a vertical position. Following this, a brush arbor was built in a complete circle around the tree, wherein the dance was to take place. Leaves from the tree were placed with other objects in the fork. This represented the nest of the thunder bird. Now the dancers prepared themselves for the physical ordeal of the performance. They would tie thongs from the form of the tree to their bodies, frequently cutting the flesh on their chests and threading the thongs through these vents. Thus fettered, they would dance back and forth keeping their attention on the thunder bird’s nest, which is symbolic of the sun. This dance lasted several days without a halt other than to bathe in a nearby stream. But while bathing the dancers were not permitted to drink. Nor did they drink at any time during the dance. When it was ended, is remarkable to note that the dancers had torn the thongs from the flesh of their chests. The two longer upright feathers on the bustle, with fluffy plumes attached to their tips, signified that the wearer had participated in the Sun Dance. The crow or bustle when worn in various dances, such as the War Dance, Grass Dance or Victory Dance, was actually a warning to the dancer that death was always at his heels. Therefore it behooved him to have a care in all his dealings". The inner matte is light blue, the outer matter is tan, and the frame is dark brown wood". The inner mat is red, the outer mat is light brown, and the frame is dark brown wood.