3-061-268 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

'The Virginian's manner of dancing at their religious festivals', 1618. A group Native Indians dancing round a circle of wooden posts, on the top of which are carved hooded human faces. Most of the group are wearing fringed apron-skins; their bodies decorated with body paint, and feathers in their hair. They hold twigs and gourd rattles. Three women in the centre are clasped closely together, facing inwards. From Travels through Virginia, Theodor de Bry's 'America', Vol. I, 1590 [England, 1618]