DOI: 10.25549/chs-m13742
title: White Deer Skin Dance Ceremony of the Hoopa Indians, ca.1900

description: Photograph of a White Deer Skin Dance Ceremony of the Hoopa Indians, ca.1900. Two adult men stand to the center right of the photo wearing what appear to be crowns, as well as multiple necklace-like ornaments. Each man is wearing a wrap around his waist that appears to be made of animal hide, and carries an object in his right hand down by his thigh, as well as a roll of what appears to be more animal hide in his left. These men are flanked by five other visible Native Americans, two of whom are children wearing what appear to be furry headdresses. These other participants are standing to the right of the two adorned men, holding poles capped by the head of deer that lead down the pole's length with skinned deer hide that is still attached to the heads. They stand in what appears to be a clearing within a forest. The men have painted their faces below the eyes. However, the children remain unpainted.; "The dance was a special ceremony of the Hoopa Indians. To obtain the skin of a white deer is to secure a mascot that will protect the owner for life. These skins are very scarce and were probably handed down for several generations. They must not be sold or traded. In the intervals between dances, the priest or old man relates to the people the stories of former days and the laws they should observer with care. The ceremony ends with a dance in which all the braves participate. The white deerskin dance is one of the peculiar survivals of the superstitious of the California Indian. To kill a deer is not such an exceptional occurrence, but to obtain the skin of a white deer is to obtain secure a mascot which will protect the owner and his friends from every trouble. Frequently, these skins are handed down as heirlooms from generation to generation, and it is asserted that a white deerskin in a canoe will save the occupants no matter how tremendous the storm that overtakes them." -- picture file card (part 1 of 2).; "The illustration here shows a party of Indians indulging in the white deerskin dance. Men only ate allowed to participate; the women are much too inferior and useless for an occasion of this kind. Head skins and bands of the most hideous kinds are worn and in a variety of other ways luck is invlked [sic, i.e., involved] and the white deerskin worshipped. This dance was held every year in August or September. The ceremony consumed several days with dances at various sacred places along the river and at Bald Hill. The costumes for the dance were specially prepared. The dancers in line behind have deerskins partly stuffed and mounted on poles. Several are shown to be albino deer. These are very scarce and the skins were probably handed down for several generations. They must not be sold or traded. In the intervals between the dances the priest ot [sic, i.e., or] old man related to the ople [sic, i.e., people] the stories of former days and the laws they should observe with care. The ceremony ends with a dance in which all the braves participate." -- picture file card (part 2 of 2).; Note: Not Maricopa Indians, but Yurok.  See Peter Palmquist at Humboldt State, 1/24/1995.