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Article created by: Greta Jaruševičiūtė

Native American culture is rich with magical customs and captures the spirit of living free, but during the 20th century it was quickly vanishing. Because of this, Edward Sheriff Curtis dedicated decades of his life to capturing and recording the lifestyle of indigenous tribes in North America and his extensive work includes some of the most captivating photos from that era.

In 1906, wealthy financier and banker J.P. Morgan provided Curtis with $75,000 to produce a series on Native Americans. Together they produced a 20-volume series, called The North American Indian. Edward spent more than 20 years traveling across the continent and made over 40,000 images of over 80 tribes. He also recorded songs and language, transcribed oral stories and biographies.

Curtis' methods to record the disappearing way of life were later criticized by some anthropologists. He occasionally posed individuals from unrelated tribes in the same clothing, removed them from natural settings and used overly romantic ones, and so on. Nonetheless, his work still features a lot of authenticity and is regarded as one of the biggest Native American research.

More info: edwardcurtis.com (h/t: mashable)

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#1

A Klamath Chief Stands On A Hill Above Crater Lake, Oregon, 1923

Native American man in traditional headdress standing by a lake, rare 1900s photo capturing Native American life.

Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #2

    An Apsaroke Man On Horseback, 1908

    Native American warrior on horseback wearing traditional headdress and holding bow on a hill in rare 1900s photo.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #3

    A Jicarrilla Girl, C. 1910

    Native American girl from the 1900s wearing traditional clothing and beaded jewelry in a rare historic photo.

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    #4

    A Group Of Navajo In The Canyon De Chelly, Arizona, 1904

    Rare 1900s photo showing Native Americans on horseback traveling across a vast desert landscape near towering rock formations.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #5

    Sioux Chiefs, 1905

    Native Americans wearing traditional headdresses, riding horses in a grassy plain, showcasing life from over 100 years ago.

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    #6

    Piegan Tepees, 1910

    Two Native American tipis and people sit by a calm river reflecting the structures in a rare 1900s photo of Native American life.

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    #7

    Hollow Horn Bear, A Brulé Man, 1907

    Native American man in traditional attire, captured in a rare 1900s photo showing how they lived over 100 years ago.

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    #8

    Mohave Woman, 1903

    Native American child with traditional face paint and braided necklaces, rare 1900s photo capturing life from 100 years ago.

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    #9

    Nakoaktok Dancers Wear Hamatsa Masks In A Ritual, 1914

    Two Native Americans wearing traditional bird masks and grass garments, captured in rare 1900s photos.

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    #10

    Eskadi, Of The Apache Tribe, 1903

    Portrait of a Native American elder from the 1900s wearing traditional clothing, capturing how Native Americans lived.

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    #11

    Apache Woman, 1906

    Native American woman holding a baby in a cradleboard, captured in rare 1900s photos showing life 100 years ago.

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    #12

    Walpi Maidens, 1906

    Four Native American women in traditional clothing standing at the entrance of a stone dwelling in rare 1900s photos.

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    karenlhoth avatar
    Kat Hoth
    Kat Hoth
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So that's where Lucas got the idea for Leia's hair.

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    #13

    Crow Encampment With Tipis, Tents, Wagons, Horses And Men As Seen From The Distant Shore Of The River, 1908

    Native Americans living in a riverside camp with traditional teepees in a rare 1900s photo.

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    #14

    A Qagyuhl Woman Wears A Fringed Chilkat Blanket And A Mask Representing A Deceased Relative Who Had Been A Shaman, 1914

    Native American wearing a ceremonial carved wooden mask and traditional patterned robe in rare 1900s photo.

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    #15

    Medicine Crow, Of The Apsaroke Tribe, 1908

    Native American man in traditional attire with beads and feathers, rare 1900s photo showcasing Native American life.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #16

    Hakalahl, A Nakoaktok Chief, 1914

    Native American man in traditional clothing holding a wooden paddle in a rare 1900s historic photo.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #17

    A Young Member Of The Apache Tribe, C. 1910

    Native American woman from early 1900s wearing traditional clothing and jewelry in a rare historical photo.

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    #18

    Apsaroke Man Wearing Medicine Hawk Headdress, 1908

    Native American elder with face paint, braided hair, traditional clothing, and a bird perched on his head, early 1900s.

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    #19

    A Kwakiutl Man Wearing A Mask Depicting A Man Transforming Into A Loon, 1914

    Native American man wearing a traditional carved wooden headdress in a rare early 1900s historic photo.

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    #20

    Qagyuhl Dancers, 1914

    Native Americans dressed in traditional ceremonial costumes and masks during a rare 1900s cultural gathering.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #21

    Iahla, Also Known As "willow," Of The Taos Pueblo, 1905

    Native American man from the 1900s wearing traditional clothing and a white shawl, captured in a rare historical photo.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #22

    A Kutenai Duck Hunter, 1910

    Native American in a canoe on calm water near reeds, a rare 1900s photo capturing life over 100 years ago.

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    #23

    A Hupa Woman, 1923

    Portrait of Native American elder wearing traditional clothing and jewelry in rare 1900s photos showing how Native Americans lived.

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    #24

    A Cahuilla Child, 1905

    Native American girl in traditional clothing holding a woven basket in a 1900s rural setting, vintage photo.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #25

    A Qagyuhl Dancer Dressed As Paqusilahl ("man Of The Ground Embodiment"), 1914

    Native American wearing traditional mask and foliage costume in a rare 1900s photo capturing indigenous life details.

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    #26

    A Zuni Woman, 1903

    Native American woman in traditional 1900s attire adorned with multiple necklaces and jewelry, historic rare photo.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #27

    A Papago Woman, 1907

    Native American woman from early 1900s wearing traditional clothing in a rare historical photo capturing their life.

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    #28

    At The Old Well Of Acoma, 1904

    Two Native Americans by a river with pottery, illustrating rare 1900s photos of how they lived 100 years ago.

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    #29

    A Kwakiutl Shaman, 1914

    Native American man dressed in traditional woven attire and headdress in rare 1900s photo capturing historic life.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #30

    Group Of Arikara Women. 1908

    Native Americans carrying bundles of wood across a field in a rare 1900s photo showcasing how they lived 100 years ago.

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    #31

    Piegan Chiefs, 1900

    Three Native Americans on horseback in a grassy field, captured in a rare 1900s photo showing how they lived.

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    #32

    Mowakiu, A Tsawatenok Man, 1914

    Native American elder from early 1900s with long hair and blanket, a rare photo capturing Native American life 100 years ago.

    Edward S. Curtis Report

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    #33

    Navajo Man Bedecked In Hemlock Boughs And Mask Of A Clown Associated With The Mischievous Rain God Tonenili, 1905

    Native American in traditional ceremonial attire made of foliage and natural materials in rare 1900s historical photo.

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    #34

    A Kwakiutl Person Dressed As A Forest Spirit, Nuhlimkilaka, ("bringer Of Confusion"), 1914

    Sepia-toned photo of a Native American figure wearing a traditional mask and costume from early 1900s culture.




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    #35

    An Apsaroke Mother And Child, 1908

    Native American woman holding a baby wrapped in traditional blankets, captured in rare 1900s photos showing Native American life.

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    #36

    Apache Girl And Papoose, 1903

    Native American mother and child in traditional attire, showcasing how Native Americans lived 100 years ago.

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    #37

    A Kwakiutl Wedding Party Arrives In Canoes, 1914

    Native Americans in a traditional canoe on a riverbank, captured in rare 1900s photos showcasing their lifestyle.

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    #38

    A Qahatika Girl, 1907

    Native American child wrapped in a blanket, rare 1900s photo capturing how Native Americans lived 100 years ago.

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    #39

    Navajo Man, 1904

    Vintage photo of a Native American figure wearing a feathered headdress and traditional ceremonial attire from the 1900s.

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    #40

    Piegan Girls Gather Goldenrod, 1910

    Two Native American women in traditional clothing holding bundles of plants in a field, rare 1900s photo of how they lived.

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    #41

    A Koskimo Man Dressed As Hami ("dangerous Thing") During A Numhlim Ceremony, 1914

    Native American wearing traditional fur costume and mask, captured in a rare 1900s photo showing how they lived 100 years ago.

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    #42

    Indian Woman Holding Rushes, 1908

    Native American woman in traditional clothing holding tall grass, captured in rare 1900s photos showing Native American life.

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    #43

    A Wishran Girl, 1910

    Native American woman in traditional attire and elaborate beadwork, captured in a rare 1900s photo showing historic life.

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    #44

    A Kwakiutl Gatherer Hunts Abalones In Washington, 1910

    Native American woman gathering shellfish along the shore, illustrating how Native Americans lived in the early 1900s.

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    #45

    Kwakiutl People In Canoes In British Columbia, 1914

    Native Americans paddling a traditional canoe in a rare 1900s photo capturing life 100 years ago on the water.

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    #46

    A Kwakiutl Chief's Daughter, 1910

    Native American man wrapped in a blanket sitting on a traditional carved wooden structure in rare 1900s photo.

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    #47

    Members Of The Qagyuhl Tribe Dance To Restore An Eclipsed Moon, C. 1910

    Native Americans in traditional dress performing a cultural ritual with smoke, captured in rare 1900s photos.

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    #48

    Luzi, Of The Papago Tribe, 1907

    Native American woman from early 1900s wearing traditional basket on head and wrapped in a shawl in rare historic photo.

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    #49

    Kwakiutl People In Canoes In British Columbia, 1914

    Native Americans in the 1900s paddling traditional decorated canoes with sails on a river near forested shoreline.

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    #50

    A Maricopa Woman, 1907

    Portrait of a Native American woman wrapped in a blanket, captured in rare 1900s photos showing how they lived.

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    #51

    The Hopi Maiden, 1905

    Native American woman in traditional clothing and hairstyle, captured in a rare 1900s photo showing how they lived.

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    #52

    Hopi Bridal Costume, 1900

    Native American wrapped in a traditional blanket, sitting and looking straight at the camera in a rare 1900s photo.

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    #53

    Vash Gon, A Jicarrilla Man, C. 1910

    Sepia-toned rare 1900s photo of a Native American man in traditional attire capturing how Native Americans lived.

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    #54

    A Maricopa Woman With Arrow-brush Stalks, 1907

    Native American woman from the early 1900s sitting with harvested plants, showing how Native Americans lived 100 years ago.

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    #55

    Nesjaja Hatali, Navajo Medicine Man, 1904

    Portrait of an elderly Native American man wearing traditional clothing and bead necklaces in rare 1900s photos.

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    #56

    An Apache Woman Reaps Grain, C. 1910

    Native American woman harvesting crops in a field in a rare 1900s photo showing how they lived 100 years ago.

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    #57

    Skokomish Couple Outside House Made Of Reed Mats, One Seated Beside Canoe That Has Been Pulled Onto The Riverbank, The Other Standing Holding A Paddle, 1913

    Two Native Americans near a wooden canoe by a riverside shelter, rare 1900s photos showing how they lived.

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    #58

    A Sioux Hunter, 1905

    Native American standing on a ridge holding a rifle, rare 1900s photo capturing how Native Americans lived long ago.

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    #59

    Mnainak, A Yakima Chief, 1910

    Native American man in traditional clothing and headdress inside a decorated tent, rare 1900s photo capturing native life.

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