Sitting (Bull) for the camera: Fascinating pictures of Native Americans capture an ancient culture on the edge of a new world
- They are among 127 images collected by English adventurer Charles Alston Messiter at the end of the 19th century
- They include Sioux chief Sitting Bull, famous for his legendary victory over General Custer at Little Bighorn
- The pictures are to go under the hammer at Special Auction Services on October 23 for between 100 and 5,000
Sitting proud and upright as he stares defiantly into the photographer's lens, this is one of the last images ever taken of the most famous Native American chief, Sitting Bull.
His picture is among 127 rare images collected by English adventurer Charles Alston Messiter through the latter third of the 19th century, about to go under the hammer.
A moving and intimate window into a way of life almost completely wiped out by the modern world, the collection reveals an ancient culture in transition.
The iconic portrait of Sitting Bull was taken eight years after his legendary victory over General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1886.
In a bloody battle that would be seared into folklore, the chief led a united force comprising Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho Native American warriors to defend their camp against an invasion by the U.S. army.
Custer launched a three-pronged attack against Little Bighorn, but was cut off and surrounded by Sitting Bull's larger army leading to a stand off that became known as Custer's Last Stand. Custer and all his troops subsequently lost their lives.
Little Bighorn also is, to some Native Americans, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass.
The United States prevailed in the Indian Wars, but Sitting Bull became, and remains, a hero to his people. Later in his life, he may have taken up -- the point is disputed -- the 'ghost dance' movement, which foretold that dead Indians would return to life and that white domination would end.
This spooked U.S. authorities. They went after Sitting Bull, who had settled back at Standing Rock. He was killed in a battle with Native American police and U.S. soldiers on June 15, 1890.
'These people, whose ancestors crossed the land bridge from Asia in what may be considered the first North American immigration, were virtually destroyed by the subsequent immigration that created the United States.
'This tragedy is the direct result of treaties, written and broken by foreign governments, of warfare, and of forced assimilation.'
Full Article & more photos: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2797214/sitting-bull-camera-fascinating-pictures-native-americans-ancient-culture-edge-new-world.html
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Good to see you Feronia, it would be nice to see the photos returned to the tribes.
Great photos Larry. Like you, I would hope that they would be returned to the tribes.
Interesting to note, that most of the captioned photos are of the Cree Tribe, a Canadian tribe.
These are a historical treasure, and I, too, hope they end up in a museum dedicated to Indian history. A few of the captions are a little confusing. For example, Sitting Bull is not looking into the camera lens at all, whereas the caption reads: "Sitting proud and upright as he stares defiantly into the photographer's lens."
If possible, definitely need to get back to the tribes.
I noticed that as well Buzz.
Beautiful andsadat the same time. I wish all the pictures would be returned to the tribes from where the subjects originated.
This is a wonderful picture! Thanks so much for posting this!