Sacagawea by Amy Gernhardt
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Who were the first Americans? Who lived here before this was America? Both North and South America were peopled by various groups, most of whom were very advanced technologically, with religious traditions of their own. Before we became the United States of America, there were distinct cultures already in place, including maroon societies in Florida, under Spanish rule. Also prevalent were the matrilineal clan lines of Miccosukee and what is now called the Seminole. The vast plains of the Midwest were home to the Lakota people, the seven tribes of Sioux Nation. I wanted to pay tribute to this tradition. The focus of my show at the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts was the Shaman Mask. Originating in Siberia, the shaman tradition followed the migration of native peoples into North America. The shaman was important to the native people in his role of healer. They were mediators between the world of spirits and the world of humans. The role of the shaman was as spiritual healer. They had the ability to heal both physical and emotional wounds.
Often the mask was worn during the healing ceremony. During the ritual story telling, shamans would wear masks to accentuate part of the story. These masks were worn sometimes briefly, even for a few seconds, or longer periods of time. The masks were made by the shaman. There were additions to the mask, of lesser spirits, whose aid the shaman relied upon while working his magic.
Often songs and drums were utilized in ceremony. The Shaman was careful to not let his spirit helpers be discovered, and the masks were not displayed. This was important, so that the shaman would not lose control over the spirit helpers, and his power would remain with him.
The Faun series added animistic features to the human mask. The Faun was a trickster, in stores the trickster was the one who tried to fool people. He was used to warn others of things the spirits might do who were malevolent. Incorporated into the show were depictions of creation myths of the Southwest Indians. Thought Woman, Father Sky, and Huzruiwuhti formed the earth, the sky, and begat the original people. The Raven clan was protected by the Raven, a strong mythological figure. The plains Indians were represented by the shoshone, Sacagawea, and her son Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Crazy Horse was an important leader of the Lakota.
Also included were my depictions of early Florida people, including Black Seminoles and Miccosukee. Florida was a haven for Africans who were granted sanctuary by the Spanish. These people flourished in the Northern Florida panhandle, successfully integrating with Seminole tribes. The groups were divided matrilineally by clan. Further South, the Maroon clans were instrumental in resistance to colonial domination.
Francois Makandal was a Haitian who led a successful revolt leading to the independence of Haiti. Cimaroons were recruited from Panama to fight against the Spanish by Sir Frances Drake. The idea that we are all one people was borne out by the fact the masks had one human face - the coloration, hair style and totems were added to show individuation. The show was not all inclusive, but depicted some of those persons who either exist in the collective unconscious, in oral tradition, or in actuality, although no photograph was ever made of them. | 