SOM#059, Allan Rouser, Apache Fire Dancer, Buffalo Hunt, 1959
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From the collection of John Birks
Number Issued: 725 Bronze
FROM THE ARTIST
APACHE BUFFALO HUNT
In the early days, Apache hunting parties made annual trips to the Plains states, an occasion that all young men looked forward to. They killed only what they needed. Most of the time women were taken along to build meat racks. When the hunters brought the meat in, the women cut it up into long thin strips and hung it up to dry.
After the meat was dry, it was rolled into the buffalo hides and packed on the horses as they proceeded to journey back to New Mexico or Arizona.
The hides were tanned and used for clothing. Sometimes the hair would be left on the hides and were used for blankets or rugs to lounge on.
When a herd was located, the medicine man of the party would chant a song of prayer for a good kill and no casualties.
The buffalo were forced to head in the direction of a steep hill, a narrow canyon, or in the direction of a steep cliff. This would allow the hunter to get a bigger kill.
A good fast horse was important. One had to get close enough to almost touch the animal because of its heavy coat, which was hard to pierce.
A good shot would sometimes drop the animal in his tracks; other times he would run hundreds of yards attacking anything near it. This sometimes cost the life of a good hunter.
The reverse side of my medal illustrates the Apache Fire Dance or “Dance of the Mountain Gods,” which is still performed on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico. As now celebrated, the dance commemorates the arrival at maidenhood of young Apache maidens and allegorically the supernatural beings are dancing to bring them good fortune in their adult life. The dance is the climax of four days of feasting and celebrating in the debut of these Apache girls. The Apaches of former times are said to have given the dance of the masked gods on other occasions than commemorating the arrival of maidenhood, but the primary purpose was when there was sickness in the tribe, and the ritual was performed to drive away the evil spirits and restore health.
Allan Houser
ABOUT THE ARTIST
“Allan Houser, Indian name Ha-oz-ous, meaning pulling roots. Born near Apache, Oklahoma. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Haozous, who were among the Apaches placed on the Fort Sill Military Reservation as prisoners of war of the U.S.
My father was my greatest critic. He fought beside Chief Geronimo and was the chief’s closest companion and interpreter. My father died last year but left much of his rich experience with me. I am very proud of my Indian heritage.
I studied under Dorothy Dunn, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Indian Art School. Studied under Olle Nordmark, of New York City, frescoes, seccos, egg tempera.
MURALS:
Fresco – Fort Sill Indian School, Lawton, Oklahoma
Secco – Riverside Indian School, Andarko, Oklahoma
Secco – Jicarilla Indian School, Dulce, New Mexico
Secco – Intermountain School, Brigham City, Utah
Oils – two commissions, Washington, D. C.
Oils – Southern Plains, Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Oils – Intermountain School, Bringham City, Utah
SCULPTURE:
Marble, 7½ feet tall, Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas
Four Dioramas in bees wax, Southern Plains Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Sandstone bust of Plains Indian maiden, Southern Plains Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Sold many wood carvings to private collectors.
I am now submitting designs for a relief carving in sandstone for a new church here in Brigham City, the wall is 60 feet long.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Compton’s Encyclopedia
I am a Pueblo Indian girl – William Morrow Co.
Runner In the Sun – John C. Winston Co.
Cochise – McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Geronimo – McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Joe Sunpool – Little Brown and Co.
Blue Canyon Horse – The Viking Press
The Cave – The Viking Press
Won first prize, professional class, Sculpturing, Utah State Fair.
Won three grand purchase prize awards, international Competition, painting, Philbrook Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma
SCHOLARSHIP:
John Sim Guggenheim for Sculpturing and Painting
I am looking forward to mention in Life Magazine soon.
I am having a one-man show at the Denver Art Museum in the month of August, in painting and sculpturing.
I was given the “Palmes Academiques” award by the French government for outstanding contributions in the field of Indian Arts.”
Editor’s note: Mr. Houser is today artist in residence and teacher of art at the Intermountain Indian School (the largest co-educational boarding school in the world) at Brigham City, Utah.
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![SOM#059, Allan Rouser, Apache Fire Dancer, Buffalo Hunt, 1959
[b]From the collection of John Birks[/b]
[i]Number Issued: 725 Bronze[/i]
[b]FROM THE ARTIST[/b]
APACHE BUFFALO HUNT
In the early days, Apache hunting parties made annual trips to the Plains states, an occasion that all young men looked forward to. They killed only what they needed. Most of the time women were taken along to build meat racks. When the hunters brought the meat in, the women cut it up into long thin strips and hung it up to dry.
After the meat was dry, it was rolled into the buffalo hides and packed on the horses as they proceeded to journey back to New Mexico or Arizona.
The hides were tanned and used for clothing. Sometimes the hair would be left on the hides and were used for blankets or rugs to lounge on.
When a herd was located, the medicine man of the party would chant a song of prayer for a good kill and no casualties.
The buffalo were forced to head in the direction of a steep hill, a narrow canyon, or in the direction of a steep cliff. This would allow the hunter to get a bigger kill.
A good fast horse was important. One had to get close enough to almost touch the animal because of its heavy coat, which was hard to pierce.
A good shot would sometimes drop the animal in his tracks; other times he would run hundreds of yards attacking anything near it. This sometimes cost the life of a good hunter.
The reverse side of my medal illustrates the Apache Fire Dance or “Dance of the Mountain Gods,” which is still performed on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico. As now celebrated, the dance commemorates the arrival at maidenhood of young Apache maidens and allegorically the supernatural beings are dancing to bring them good fortune in their adult life. The dance is the climax of four days of feasting and celebrating in the debut of these Apache girls. The Apaches of former times are said to have given the dance of the masked gods on other occasions than commemorating the arrival of maidenhood, but the primary purpose was when there was sickness in the tribe, and the ritual was performed to drive away the evil spirits and restore health.
Allan Houser
[b]ABOUT THE ARTIST[/b]
“Allan Houser, Indian name Ha-oz-ous, meaning pulling roots. Born near Apache, Oklahoma. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Haozous, who were among the Apaches placed on the Fort Sill Military Reservation as prisoners of war of the U.S.
My father was my greatest critic. He fought beside Chief Geronimo and was the chief’s closest companion and interpreter. My father died last year but left much of his rich experience with me. I am very proud of my Indian heritage.
I studied under Dorothy Dunn, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Indian Art School. Studied under Olle Nordmark, of New York City, frescoes, seccos, egg tempera.
MURALS:
Fresco – Fort Sill Indian School, Lawton, Oklahoma
Secco – Riverside Indian School, Andarko, Oklahoma
Secco – Jicarilla Indian School, Dulce, New Mexico
Secco – Intermountain School, Brigham City, Utah
Oils – two commissions, Washington, D. C.
Oils – Southern Plains, Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Oils – Intermountain School, Bringham City, Utah
SCULPTURE:
Marble, 7½ feet tall, Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas
Four Dioramas in bees wax, Southern Plains Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Sandstone bust of Plains Indian maiden, Southern Plains Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Sold many wood carvings to private collectors.
I am now submitting designs for a relief carving in sandstone for a new church here in Brigham City, the wall is 60 feet long.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Compton’s Encyclopedia
I am a Pueblo Indian girl – William Morrow Co.
Runner In the Sun – John C. Winston Co.
Cochise – McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Geronimo – McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Joe Sunpool – Little Brown and Co.
Blue Canyon Horse – The Viking Press
The Cave – The Viking Press
Won first prize, professional class, Sculpturing, Utah State Fair.
Won three grand purchase prize awards, international Competition, painting, Philbrook Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma
SCHOLARSHIP:
John Sim Guggenheim for Sculpturing and Painting
I am looking forward to mention in [i]Life[/i] Magazine soon.
I am having a one-man show at the Denver Art Museum in the month of August, in painting and sculpturing.
I was given the “Palmes Academiques” award by the French government for outstanding contributions in the field of Indian Arts.”
[i]Editor’s note:[/i] Mr. Houser is today artist in residence and teacher of art at the Intermountain Indian School (the largest co-educational boarding school in the world) at Brigham City, Utah.
Keywords: SOM](albums/userpics/10001/SOM%23059-combo.jpg "SOM#059, Allan Rouser, Apache Fire Dancer, Buffalo Hunt, 1959
[b]From the collection of John Birks[/b]
[i]Number Issued: 725 Bronze[/i]
[b]FROM THE ARTIST[/b]
APACHE BUFFALO HUNT
In the early days, Apache hunting parties made annual trips to the Plains states, an occasion that all young men looked forward to. They killed only what they needed. Most of the time women were taken along to build meat racks. When the hunters brought the meat in, the women cut it up into long thin strips and hung it up to dry.
After the meat was dry, it was rolled into the buffalo hides and packed on the horses as they proceeded to journey back to New Mexico or Arizona.
The hides were tanned and used for clothing. Sometimes the hair would be left on the hides and were used for blankets or rugs to lounge on.
When a herd was located, the medicine man of the party would chant a song of prayer for a good kill and no casualties.
The buffalo were forced to head in the direction of a steep hill, a narrow canyon, or in the direction of a steep cliff. This would allow the hunter to get a bigger kill.
A good fast horse was important. One had to get close enough to almost touch the animal because of its heavy coat, which was hard to pierce.
A good shot would sometimes drop the animal in his tracks; other times he would run hundreds of yards attacking anything near it. This sometimes cost the life of a good hunter.
The reverse side of my medal illustrates the Apache Fire Dance or “Dance of the Mountain Gods,” which is still performed on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico. As now celebrated, the dance commemorates the arrival at maidenhood of young Apache maidens and allegorically the supernatural beings are dancing to bring them good fortune in their adult life. The dance is the climax of four days of feasting and celebrating in the debut of these Apache girls. The Apaches of former times are said to have given the dance of the masked gods on other occasions than commemorating the arrival of maidenhood, but the primary purpose was when there was sickness in the tribe, and the ritual was performed to drive away the evil spirits and restore health.
Allan Houser
[b]ABOUT THE ARTIST[/b]
“Allan Houser, Indian name Ha-oz-ous, meaning pulling roots. Born near Apache, Oklahoma. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Haozous, who were among the Apaches placed on the Fort Sill Military Reservation as prisoners of war of the U.S.
My father was my greatest critic. He fought beside Chief Geronimo and was the chief’s closest companion and interpreter. My father died last year but left much of his rich experience with me. I am very proud of my Indian heritage.
I studied under Dorothy Dunn, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Indian Art School. Studied under Olle Nordmark, of New York City, frescoes, seccos, egg tempera.
MURALS:
Fresco – Fort Sill Indian School, Lawton, Oklahoma
Secco – Riverside Indian School, Andarko, Oklahoma
Secco – Jicarilla Indian School, Dulce, New Mexico
Secco – Intermountain School, Brigham City, Utah
Oils – two commissions, Washington, D. C.
Oils – Southern Plains, Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Oils – Intermountain School, Bringham City, Utah
SCULPTURE:
Marble, 7½ feet tall, Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas
Four Dioramas in bees wax, Southern Plains Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Sandstone bust of Plains Indian maiden, Southern Plains Museum, Andarko, Oklahoma
Sold many wood carvings to private collectors.
I am now submitting designs for a relief carving in sandstone for a new church here in Brigham City, the wall is 60 feet long.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Compton’s Encyclopedia
I am a Pueblo Indian girl – William Morrow Co.
Runner In the Sun – John C. Winston Co.
Cochise – McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Geronimo – McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Joe Sunpool – Little Brown and Co.
Blue Canyon Horse – The Viking Press
The Cave – The Viking Press
Won first prize, professional class, Sculpturing, Utah State Fair.
Won three grand purchase prize awards, international Competition, painting, Philbrook Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma
SCHOLARSHIP:
John Sim Guggenheim for Sculpturing and Painting
I am looking forward to mention in [i]Life[/i] Magazine soon.
I am having a one-man show at the Denver Art Museum in the month of August, in painting and sculpturing.
I was given the “Palmes Academiques” award by the French government for outstanding contributions in the field of Indian Arts.”
[i]Editor’s note:[/i] Mr. Houser is today artist in residence and teacher of art at the Intermountain Indian School (the largest co-educational boarding school in the world) at Brigham City, Utah.
Keywords: SOM")
