Identification of specific item; 1985; John Fortenberry expedition photographs from Venezuela, image #, NMAI.AC.342; National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center, Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiphotos@si.edu. For personal or classroom use, users are invited to download, print, photocopy, and distribute the images that are available online without prior written permission, provided that the files are not modified in any way, the Smithsonian Institution copyright notice (where applicable) is included, and the source of the image is identified as the National Museum of the American Indian. For more information please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use and NMAI Archive Center's Digital Image request website.
Scope and Contents
Portrait of a Yanomami (Yanoama), or possibly Piaroa, Ye'kuana (Makiritare/Mayagone) Chieftan posed inside of his house. Likely photographed in his village near the Río Orinoco in the Amazonas Region, Venezuela. Fortenberry Commentary: Chieftan has a concrete house. Plumbing, shower, etc. This was their everyday clothing. Weren't very willing to have their pictures taken in this village. They have children in Caracas (the Chiefs). There were "tourist arts" - and [They asked him to put on the "crown" - he didn't ordinarily wear this.] The people are money conscious-- don't trade for goods anymore.
Collection Restrictions
Access to NMAI Archives Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).