Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
It is very common to see 15 different tribes numbering 3 to 4 hundred people in this dance competition . The fair was only a 3 day celebration. Each day started early and ended late in the evening. City of Fun played the spot. The show is owned by Lou Melendez. I had a nice visit with his daughter Pam.
Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
The two in the center are Apache Crown Dancers. The two girls on either side are not part of the of the dance group. During a ceremony there are five Crown dancers. These dancers are very sacred and photos are seldom permitted. My father took this photo at the San Carlos Rez 1950….there will be others to follow. Dad was not really a photo buff but when we played the Indian reservations, he took his camera and off he went to capture the real Indian. Dad had a great deal of respect for the native American people. He said that there are those that think when an Indian dances, its a war dance……………..not true. The native American people dance to celebrate God creator and the blessings that are given to them. This picture was taken when we were with Siebrand Bros Circus playing the reservations.
Aho Tongkashela
Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
This photo was taken by my Dad in 1950, NE Arizona. The lot where we showed was on the reservation. If I remember correctly the show lot was not too far from Second Mesa the Hopi Rez.
Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
This picture is of Joe Crazy Horse. Photo taken 1950 Zuni, Arizona. Most of these show spots are still being played by carnivals and are very lucrative. My family and I recently visited a Native American event today…..The Mul Chu Tha Rodeo and Fair in Sacaton, Arizona. The Lou Melendez show is playing this date.
Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
Pictured is a Navajo Medicine man, Framington, New Mexico, 1950. He would traveling to the different spots we played with Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival. These medicine men before the show opened would walk around the midway and toss corn p0llen on each ride, Blessing it for safety. The Our ride superintendent Okie Locken made them safe with a mechanical Blessing. Photo taken by my Dad.
Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
This ceremony is very sacred. Northern Arizona 1950. The only problem with these ceremonies was when the show would close for the night and you tried to get some sleep the drums would start…… usually lasting all night. So if you could not sleep you would join the festivities. The native people had their own type of gambling. If you were a fast learner you could play the Stick Game, or cards game using 0nly King, Queen, Jack ….to confusing to explain……..and quite often you lost your money.
Posted By thecircusblog on April 4, 2011
A Pueblo maiden and her father. 1950. During the day and evening the native people would come to enjoy the carnival and circus. There usually was an all Indian Rodeo and arts and crafts for the tourists. February and March is when the season starts in Arizona. There are three or four major carnivals that play the Indian reservations and there are about 20 t0 25 celebrations per year. In today’s world, carnivals do not have a circus with them. The entertainment is brought in by the tribe and that is mostly Country Western singers. Photo taken by Dad on the Rez lot. Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 29, 2011
This is an extremely rare photo………….. Frank Buck and Clyde Beatty were to appear together for the first and only time in a movie called “Africa Screams”, They co stared with Abbot & Costello. This photo was taken just before the shooting began at Republic Studios, produced and directed by Edward Nasour. In this photo it seems like Buck is telling the fellows about his wild animal adventures………………Yes I almost had him!…….. Frank Buck’s motion picture credits……….”Bring-em Back Alive”,”Wild Cargo”, “Fang $ Claw”, “Jungle Menace”, “Jacare”, “Tiger Fangs” and “Jungle Calved”. Clyde Beatty stared in “Big Cage”, “Lost Jungle”,”Darkest Africa”, “Africa Screams”, “Perils of the Jungle”, “Ring of Fear”…………NOT BAD FOR A CIRCUS GUY.
Posted By thecircusblog on March 29, 2011
Posted By thecircusblog on March 29, 2011
You look just great! God bless both of you.
Thanks for the pictures.
