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Of his work, Fragua says "To
the Pueblo people, the deer is a sacred spirit that dwells in the
mountains and mesas. In Pueblo beliefs, the deer and hunter are destined
to meet on the trail and, the deer offers his life and blessings to feed
the family of the hunter. When the deer is taken home, he is laid in a
place of honor, and a bowl of cornmeal is placed next to it. Word is
spread around to the community and all are invited to partake of a feast.
Everyone comes to offer cornmeal and say a prayer to the deer to thank him
for sacrificing his life.
If a hunter chooses to have the deer mounted by a taxidermist, then the
mount is hung in a prominent place in the house. The family will dress the
deer in a beautiful textile and turquoise necklaces, and in some cases,
tying parrot feathers on the head. Many Pueblo homes have these deer
mounts dressed to honor the one who gave his life to sustain life for
others." I |
