Sky Watching

Robe Robe
Arapaho, collected 1903

The Arapaho call Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) the Broken Backbone. Surrounding the broken backbone are shapes representing mountains, rivers, hills, ravines, valleys, creeks, and two bears' claws.

Cow (Bos taurus) hide, paint, clay; L 102.0 x W 107.0 cm; 3179-294