Dances of the Tewa Pueblo Indians: Expressions of New Life [Paperback]

Jill Drayson Sweet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1985 | ISBN-10: 093345211X | ISBN-13: 978-0933452114 | Edition: 1st

Great changes have swept the world of the Tewas since 1985, when the first edition of this book appeared, including changes in relationships among Indian communities, the anthropologists who wish to study them, and the non-Indian people who attend these ceremonies. Returning to her classic work, anthropologist Jill D. Sweet reflects upon these changes with exceptional insight. The Tewas have become increasingly sophisticated in managing tourism, including their new casinos, to ensure that it contributes to the persistence and revitalization of ancient ritual practices. Anthropologists and spectators, meanwhile, have had to grow more attentive to the dignity and privacy of the Tewas. This new edition features the voices of Tewa dancers and composers and images by contemporary Tewa artists that explain the significance of dance to Tewa identity and community. The author frames their words with her own poignant reflections on more than twenty years of study and friendship with these creative and enduring people.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The text and photos of Dances of the Tewa Pueblo Indians remain absorbing and inspiring….[T]he Preface to the second edition and, even more importantly, [the] Epilogue should be required reading for every visitor to the sacred dances of the region. --Barbara Riley, Southwest Book Views Vol. 4, no. 1 (Winter 2005)

The text and photos of Dances of the Tewa Pueblo Indians remain absorbing and inspiring….[T]he Preface to the second edition and, even more importantly, [the] Epilogue should be required reading for every visitor to the sacred dances of the region. --Barbara Riley, Southwest Book Views Vol. 4, no. 1 (Winter 2005) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jill D. Sweet is Professor of Anthropology at Skidmore College with special interests in interpretive symbolic anthropology, choreography, and dance. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 99 pages
• Publisher: School of Amer Research Pr; 1st edition (August 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093345211X
• ISBN-13: 978-0933452114
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,280,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Overview, May 11, 2005

By 

Matthew J. Martinez (Ohkay Owingeh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dances of the Tewa Pueblo Indians: Expressions of New Life (Resident Scholar) (Paperback)

A good systematic description of Tewa dances and performances. This work is a neat overview of the various dances as carried out in the Tewa villages of northern New Mexico. Sweet's analysis is informed by her working relations among Pueblo people. The recent edition includes contemporary testimonies of Pueblo people who continue to navigate and balance their culture within (and outside) the tourism and art industry.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting photos, but more tourist manual, August 8, 2009

By 

blue jaguar (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dances of the Tewa Pueblo Indians: Expressions of New Life (Resident Scholar) (Paperback)

I was looking for more insight into the dances of the Tewa people. You do get some insight here but it still feels like you are an outsider. There is alot of general information here like the outer reason for a dance, where it is, generally when, but that's about it. Yes there are a few nice photos. But I was looking for more insight into the mythology behind the origin of the dances and the specific elements on the costumes. That is not here. In the end it reads like a travel guide for the dances and not anything mystical (which is what I wanted).