This postcard shows the Santa Fe Railway's Indian Band in the parade at the Inter-Tribal Ceremonial, Gallup, New Mexico.
The Santa Fe All-Indian Band showcased musical talents of the railway's Indian employees. The band started in 1923 with three Native Americans who entertained for a Santa Fe Railway shop picnic in Winslow, Arizona. The original band included a trumpet, a tuba, and a bass drum. The inter-tribal band had members from as many as twelve tribes. Although most band members were Santa Fe employees, some family members were also included. The the Santa Fe All-Indian Band played at events for more than forty years. It was dissolved in 1964, because there weren’t enough replacement band members to keep the band going.
The Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial is still an annual event. The following description is from the New Mexico Tourism Department website:
Since 1922, the people of Gallup, New Mexico have been proud to present the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial each summer. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Native American arts, cultures, and traditions, “Ceremonial”, as it is known throughout the region, is a special time when indigenous peoples from throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico travel to Gallup to share the best of their creative and performing talents and diverse heritages with the rest of the world, and to reunite with other indigenous groups. Nowhere else on Earth can you experience tribal ceremonial dances, a contest pow-wow, indoor and outdoor arts and crafts markets, all Indian rodeos, a world class juried art show, opportunities to buy authentic Native American art and jewelry, parades, Native American foods, a ceremonial queen contest, and crafts demonstrations, all in one location at one time.
November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States. This is a time to celebrate the heritage and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives. President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations (with some variants in the name of the month) have been issued each year since 1994. The 2011 proclamation issued by President Barack Obama is online here.
That looks like a very colourful and happy event.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the band won't still be performing at the ceremonial. Bet it's greatly missed. They were sure a colorful looking bunch.
ReplyDeleteNancy Javier
Ladies of the grove
here in Montreal, it is an event taking place in the summer and lasting about a week. I went for the first time this year. I enjoyed the native culture from north/central/south america. but we have no marching band, only troops doing traditional music and dances, and a bit of contemporary too.
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nice postcard!!
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HUGZ
I don't ever remember events like this in the UK but Yorkshire, whwer I live, is famous for its brass bands.
ReplyDeleteThis is so neat! I enjoyed the history lesson and cool card.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sepia Saturday,
Kathy M.
It's sad that the band eventually folded. But good news to hear about the annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial.
ReplyDeleteI love to see marching bands in parades. There's somethign very stirring about it.
ReplyDeleteThe photograph made me think of all the American marching bands I have ever seen - at places like Disneyland and in films. And as a bonus some interesting information about native Americans
ReplyDeleteIndian bands are a special sub-genre in music photos and postcards, and so are those of railway workers' bands. Interesting to find one that combines both. Sadly both have disappeared because of the inevitable change in cultures.
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up calling Indians Indians, I am finding it tricky to call Indians Native Americans or as they do in Canada "first peoples" or aboriginal. There are many generations who sat Indian style and played cowboys and Indians. Thanks for posting this card with the great history lesson, and silly as it may sound, thanks for calling them Indians. I realize all things must change, but it's sentimental to me. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteThat really is a sun-drenched postcard, full of colour and movement.
ReplyDeleteVery colorful picture of the band. It is too bad that it folded. Albuquerque is still host to a large number of Native American museums and cultural events. I hadn't heard of the band - interesting post!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. My piece on the Timple was written to show the San Antonio Canary Island Descendants Association what music was life when their ancestors left Lanzarote. Texas - New Mexico, almost neighbours!
ReplyDeleteThe first reunion of the Santa Fe Indian Marching Band will be November 16-17, 2012 in Winslow Arizona. Parade is Saturday at 1 pm. for more info call Kenn Evans at 928-386-9229.
ReplyDeleteThe Band's first reunion in 49 years will be on Nov. 16 and 17, 2012 in Winslow Arizona where it all started. For more info call Kenn Evans @ 928-386-9229
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