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Slave impression with a twist

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  • Slave impression with a twist

    I'm going to need a good bit of help on this idea, and if the consensus is that its not feasible to do it right, we're certainly going to back off the idea.

    In the past, I've seen images of slaves whose facial physical characteristics were quite obviously Native American in part or in whole. I've no idea where or when I saw them, and have no point of reference for such an impression other than my memory of these pictures.

    We've got a good friend who is interested in expanding her living history horizons--currently she portrays an Alabamois Creek Indian in the 1750 period, and has done so for nearly 20 years in both first and third person. Her physical appearance is strongly Creek, and weathered brown but not exceptionally dark. In real life she is a taxidermist and hunting guide.

    We're interested in looking at two alternatives here, and are certainly open to other suggestions

    1. A slave depiction of one who is in slavery due to one parent being slave and the other Indian. In that case we would be dealing with a larger scenario of being either a farming family of modest means, but prosperous enought to own one slave, or of a family business that has hired a slave from the owner.

    2. A depiction of those Indians who by accident of geography managed to avoid the Indian removals in Alabama--mostly by living in the deep swamp areas of South Alabama. In that case, we're pretty clueless as to how to integrate her in this character into our various depictions of wartime home manufacturing, other than as "hired help" with no real acknowledgement of her obviously Native features.

    Suggestions, comments, points of reference, philosophical discussions and hoots of derision at the very idea are all welcome....... :D
    Terre Hood Biederman
    Yassir, I used to be Mrs. Lawson. I still run period dyepots, knit stuff, and cause trouble.

    sigpic
    Wearing Grossly Out of Fashion Clothing Since 1958.

    ADVENTURE CALLS. Can you hear it? Come ON.

  • #2
    Re: Slave impression with a twist

    Sister Lawson,

    You asked, so here goes...

    Speaking strictly as someone who has had the pleasure of meeting the lady of whom you write, I must ask, is she terribly averse to donning period womens attire and putting her hair up? I don't believe her features would permit her to portray a mulatto, and in any case, even so, her manner of dress and hairstyle would certainly approximate yours.

    The idea of a renegade indian woman who has somehow managed to live as an indian in south Alabama and avoid the long walk to Oklahoma is a bit far-fetched. It also seems so exceptional as to be very remarkable and surely there would be accounts had such a thing occurred.

    With all the respect in the world, my suggestion would be for the lady to portray an ordinary woman of the period. Her features certainly do not preclude a white woman's impression, particularly one of mixed-race indian/caucasian parentage. Perhaps a creole impression?

    Cordially,
    K. Bartsch

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    • #3
      Re: Slave impression with a twist

      Keith,

      Exactly the sort of thing I needed to hear, especially given that you've seen the regal and imposing lady in question. I believe we'll just go with the standard po' white impression for daytime wear, with accomodations made for creole/coastal dress for that class. In other words, we'll be a bit off, simply because we have difficulty finding loaner clothes for a woman that tall, and I can't make them myself given our upcoming obligations. Actually coiling up that knee-length hair will be a logistical challenge, but not one that cannot be overcome.

      As for evening wear--well, the Selma Ball is the Selma Ball, a welcome diversion and fantasy from all this talk of War, War, War....... :wink_smil
      Terre Hood Biederman
      Yassir, I used to be Mrs. Lawson. I still run period dyepots, knit stuff, and cause trouble.

      sigpic
      Wearing Grossly Out of Fashion Clothing Since 1958.

      ADVENTURE CALLS. Can you hear it? Come ON.

      Comment

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