The Butterfly Dance (Tales of the People, 4) - Hardcover

Dawavendewa, Gerald

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0789201615 ISBN 13: 9780789201614

Publisher: Abbeville Kids, 2001

Synopsis

Third in the acclaimed Tales of the People series, this tale of a young girl's first Butterfly Dance captures the spirit of the Hopi culture.

With its bright, stylized illustrations and distinctive Native voice, this appealing book gives a vivid sense of stepping into another culture. It chronicles one important day seen through the eyes of a young Hopi girl named Sihumana, or "Flower Maiden," who is a member of the Rabbit Clan and winningly portrayed as a rabbit. After going with her grandfather to greet the sun and bless the day, Sihumana travels with family to another village to take part in the traditional Butterfly Dance, performed late each summer in order to bring rain to the dry lands of the Southwest. The tale ends happily with the sound of rain on the roof and the promise of butterflies in the days to come.

Created with the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Tales of the People is a series of children's books celebrating Native American culture with illustrations and stories by Indian artists and writers. In addition to the tales themselves, each book also offers four pages filled with information and photographs exploring various aspects of Native culture, including a glossary of words in different Indian languages.

About this title

About the Author

Gerald Dawavendewa is Hopi-Cherokee, enrolled in the Hopi Tribe and a member of the Sun Clan. He received a B.A. in fine arts from the University of Arizona, Tucson. He is a graphic designer and artist as well as a consultant to various museums across the country, and a guest lecturer at schools, universities, and community colleges. One of his original artworks, now on display at the University of Arizona, traveled aboard the space shuttle Endeavour in 1994.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpt from The Butterfly Dance

After breakfast, it is time for my family to go with me to the village where the Butterfly Dance is held at the end of every summer.

Before I leave, my best friend, Sakwapumana, gives me sweet blue-corn snacks. Just like your name, Sakwapumana!” I say, because Sakwapumana means Blue Corn Maiden.

Have a good trip, Sihumana,” says Sakwapumana. My family will not leave till later, but I will see you at the dance. We would not miss this special day!”

I say good-bye, and we start on our journey, which will take several hours.

As we walk to the village, Kwa’a tells me why we have the Butterfly Dance.

When you dance, you celebrate our family and you celebrate the clouds that bring gentle rains. When you dance, Sihumana, you are like a butterfly that flies from flower to flower, helping them grow. You bring rain for the flowers and plants, and you make everyone happy.”

I tell Kwa’a it will be fun to be a butterfly!

About this edition

• Publisher: Abbeville Kids
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0789201615
• ISBN 13: 9780789201614
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32