| Maker(s): | Anonymous
| | Culture: | Native American; Diné
| | Title: | Yei Be Chei Figure
| | Date Made: | n.d.-1970s
| | Type: | Ceremonial
| | Materials: | wood, yarn, imitation fur, satin, feathers, glass beads, sequins, leather, paint
| | Place Made: | United States; Southeastern Utah; Northeastern Arizona; Northwestern New Mexico; Navajo Reservation
| | Measurements: | height 8 in.; 20.32 cm
| | Accession Number: | SC 1981.25.22.1
| | Credit Line: | Gift of Katherine Gabel, class of 1959
| | Museum Collection: | Smith College Museum of Art
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Description:
This Yei Be Chei dancer depicts a somewhat odd rendition of a generalized Yei entity. The carving features a dark blue mask with a painted face, two eagle feathers protruding from his blue mask, a white back of the head (revealing that the blue countenance is merely a mask), and a fur headpiece, as well as neckpiece. The dancer's skin is painted white, and he has a brown chest sash, concha belt (with sequin meant to resemble silver medallions), fur pelt, and red "kilt" (also decorated with silver). He wears crudely painted red boots. In either hand is a white gourd rattle and a small "fluff" of cotton or wool. Although rattles are common accoutrements for Yei Be Chei healing ceremonies, the white fluff is not. AP2018
Tags:
men; religion; ceremonies; kachina dolls; dancers; masks Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=SC+1981.25.22.1 |
