Plate IX
O-ke-hee-de
Catlin, 1836
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Plate IX O-ke-hee-de Catlin, 1836 |
"This strange and frightful character, whom they called O-ke-hee-de (the owl or Evil Spirit), darted through the crowd where the buffalo dance was proceeding ... alarming all he came in contact with. His body was painted jet black with pulverized charcoal and grease, with rings of white clay over his limbs and body." (Catlin 22) N.B.: Some description provided by Catlin of the actual ceremony is not reproduced here, in respect of the fact that, if this ceremony truly occurred, its sacred nature should be honored. The portraits are Catlin's own interpretation of the ceremony. |