"The Ghost Dance"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Alice Beck Kehoe's book, "The Ghost Dance: Ethno-history and Revitalization", claiming that although it covers a relatively small slice of a much greater historical period, it has indeed become an enduring work. The paper presents this work as a short read focusing upon only one Native-American nation and in an overall scheme of the broader anthropological study that comes under the heading of "Ghost Dancing of the Grand Canyon". Moreover, the paper explains that the work does indeed have some detractors among which are the eastern Native-American nations.

Outline
Book Report Thesis Statement
Ethnography
The Case Study Approach
Revitalization
The Main Detractor

From the Paper:

"The anthropological science of ethnography is a widely accepted methodology for the study of a particular cultural. It entails a lengthy study of a particular culture such as Ms Kehoe is accomplishing in her work using the tools of detailing "oral histories," "written histories," "face to face interviews," and "media resources." Using these factors and others, such as "studies of specific geographical locations and their influences," "photography," along with many other factors to arrive at as an accurate characterization of an Ethnic History of a given group as possible. The Ethnography Ms Kehoe uses are the locations along the Colorado River System that is the home of the Native American Paiute (sic) Nation. The story, seen through the eyes of Mr. James Mooney of the Smithsonian Institution begins with an explanation of the "Ghost Dance Religion," as explained to him beginning of New Years Day of 1892. Furthermore, this context along with the many "Illustrations," and "References," in use by Ms Kehoe carries the study forward through massacres at Wounded Knee of 1896 and 1973."

More papers on "The Ghost Dance":

• Essay # 85528 : "The Ghost Dance: Ethnohistory and Revitalization"
• Research Paper # 74839 : "Ghost Dance and Wounded Knee"
• Book Review # 117987 : "Ghost Dancing the Law: The Wounded Knee Trials"

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