The collection consists of a drawing James Mooney depicting the arrangement of tipis and other structures during the Sun Dance and other tribal gatherings in the period 1865-1875.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
Biographical Note:
James Mooney (1861-1921) was an American ethnographer whose research focused on Native North Americans. Most of his knowledge of anthropology and ethnography was self-taught, largely through his field experience working with various Native communities. In 1885, Mooney began working for the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE) under John Wesley Powell. There, he carried out ethnographic research for more than 30 years.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS 3298
Exhibit Note:
The diagram was displayed at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904. See MS 2351 James Mooney notebooks principally regarding Kiowa, Cheyenne, and Arapaho shield and tipi designs for a photograph of the exhibit case in which the diagram was displayed.
Related Materials:
The National Anthropological Archives holds additional material related to James Mooney's Kiowa research. Another drawing of a Kiowa Sun Dance camp circle is held by the NAA in MS 245079.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Genre/Form:
Works of art
Diagrams
Citation:
MS 3298 James Mooney diagram of Kiowa camp circle, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution