Customer Reviews

Peyote Religious Art: Symbols of Faith and Belief (Folk Art and Artists)

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I am truely taken by this book. As a fan of Native American artwork, I found this book not only informative regarding the struggle for religios freedom taking place in our nations heartland, but the images to go with it were incredable. A must read for any one interested in current Native American affairs, Native American religious history, or Native American traditional artwork.

The artistic traditions associated with the Native American Church are amazingly diverse and dynamic. Long neglected by scholars, Peyote Religious Art is now the definitive examination of this rich artistic field. While Peyotism is often misunderstood by both its detractors and its admirers, this clear and factual book is the result of Swan's long-term friendships with artists and other members of the church. It is beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated in color.

This book, PEYOTE RELIGIOUS ART: SYMBOLS OF FAITH AND BELIEF, is a treasure of all kinds of art related to the Native American Church, as well as a good overview of the spiritual atmosphere of the ceremony and faith which inspires the creations of the artists. I highly recommend it!

About the only objection I could have for this book was there wasn't enough of it.
But in reality, this is a very good and useful overview of an ancient and still-vibrant American Church movement. Origins are explained well, if not in too much detail, and the various ceremonies themselves are outlined with accuracy.

And then there is the art and the artifacts. Some fine examples of Peyote Visual Arts are featured like the sacred implements used by the Road-Man and his helpers as well as the personal items, fans, gourd rattles and cedar storage boxes.
There are great pictures of silverwork, altar cloths, hide and ledger-book paintings, and sacred staffs from differing fireplaces.

Probably what I like most about this book, is the respectful and dignified approach to the subject itself. Even the title expresses respect.
The institution of the Native American Church has been controversial throughout it's whole history, but Daniel Swan assumes the topic from the standpoint of what it is to the people who attend and worship: the Art of an ancient American religion, and it's symbols of Faith and Belief.

Not only a wonderful book for the uninitiated, but a lovely work for those familiar not only with the NAC but also those featured in the book. Daniel Swan presents a well-written and enjoyable read on the topic.

"Peyote Religious Art" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy."