Iroquois Eagle Dance - (Iroquois and Their Neighbors) by William N Fenton (Paperback)

About the Book

This volume explores how the Eagle Dance was celebrated in New York and Canada during the 1930s and how it related to the widespread Calumet Dance of the 17th century.

Book Synopsis

Originally published as Bulletin 156 of the Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution in 1953, this volume explores the celebration of the Eagle Dance in New York and Canada during the 1930s and its relationship to the widespread Calumet Dance of the 17th century. Also included is Kurath 's detailed analysis of the Eagle Dance music and choreography, based on Fenton's recordings and on her own observations of local performances.

From the Back Cover

Originally published as Bulletin 156 of the Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution in 1953, this volume explores the celebration of the Eagle Dance in New York and Canada during the 1930s and its relationship to the widespread Calumet Dance of the 17th century. Also included is Kurath's detailed analysis of the Eagle Dance music and choreography, based on Fenton's recordings and on her own observations of local performances.

Review Quotes

It was--and is--a classic study of American Indian religious and therapeutic ceremonial and belief. Fenton's careful description of much of his own field work, and his biographical sketches and photographs of people and things, bring back the flavor of life of the Iroquois reservations half a century ago.-- "Anthony F. C. Wallace"

The combining of field ethnography and choreographic and musical analyses are here carried farther than in any previous similar work on American Indians.-- "The U.S. Quarterly Book Review"

About the Author

William N. Fenton is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of The False Faces of the Iroquois, The Roll Call of the lroq1wis Chiefs, and editor of Parker on the Iroquois.