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North American Indian Medicine Man. Joliet antique print c1860.

North American Indian Medicine Man. Joliet antique print c1860.

by Auguste Joliet/Emmanuel Domenech

Tchatka (Left-handed), Wah-kow-tangka (Great Medicine), Maria-youha (who holds the knife), and Talokahnan (the young kid).

Small original wood engraving by Auguste Joliet (fl. 1861-1878), colour-printed on white background with tinted margin, for Seven years' residence in the great deserts of North America by Apostolical Missionary, Canon of Montpellier (Barbados), member of the Pontifical Academy Tiberina, and of the Geographical and Ethnographical Societies of France, &c., the abbé Emmanuel Domenech (1826-1903). Published by Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts in 1860.

During his long career Tchatka exercised more power over his tribe than any tyrant ever possessed. From a very numerous and influential family who decided that as soon as he was of age Tchatka should be their chosed chief, Tchatka was directed towards the northern traders of Upper Canada, or the Hudson territory. He became familiar with the traders and acquired knowledge that he combined with his cunning and stature to become a distinguished man in his country. He obtained poison and learnt to use it. He was unprincipled, crafty, false, and cowardly. Although he was young and strong, he always kept out of the way of danger, and retreated to a safe position with a good view of any fighting between tribes. Despite this he became chief, and his twelve hundred warriors had implicit confidence in him, which resulted in their numerous victories. He pretended to possess the gift of prophecy and set about periodic poisoning of anyone in the tribe who had greater claim and suitability as the tribe’s chieftain.

Image approx. 18.5 x 12.5 cm (7 3/8 x 4 7/8 inches). Page 22 x 14 cm (8 3/4 x 5 1/2  inches)

Stock Number: apDomenech12Price: $125.00

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