3 Apache shields.

Miguel · 16th September 2017, 07:37 PM

Thank you Tim for posting this thread and thank you Ibrahiim And Jim for your extremely interesting replies, fascinating.
Regards
Miguel

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 17th September 2017, 05:51 PM

Look up Valley of the Shields http://www.greerservices.com/Assets/...ar%20Gulch.pdf

Jim McDougall · 18th September 2017, 09:11 PM

Ibrahiim,
Thank you for that link!
I was already intrigued by these shields and designs as we went through Wyoming and Montana and saw many examples in the museums. It seems that while many were buried with their owners, certain ones with significantly powerful tribal figures were passed on. Some of these are among those captured or turned over to government in arrangements.

Some time ago I was studying 'rock art' and the pictographs found in European caves which derive from prehistoric man, and the nature of the symbols and designs. Much of this apparently was profoundly associated with shamanic activity, trances, and entoptic circumstances from visions etc.

Considering the migrations of these early tribal people into the America's, it is fascinating to consider these phenomenon over many thousands of years and carried forth into the tribal tradition and religious beliefs. These tribal groups of Native Americans are actually quite amazing, and the more we learn about them, the more we realize how much so.

Apparantly the symbolism used in these designs and devices was of course remarkably personal, and often had variant meaning to each individual, as well as within different tribal groups. Though there were some certain symbols with a degree of universality, their allegorical content might be notably deviated from these as placed with other such devices.

It seems there have been some attempts at interpreting some of the shield designs, and with certain success in some cases, however many remain a mystery as to exact significance. In one case, an attempt to inquire with a person from one tribe on the designs seen on an example from another, and they declined, noting they were not permitted to discuss such matters of another tribe or person.
Interestingly, there are certain parallels to the evolution of heraldry in European and other cultures, with stringent parallels and protocol very much in place.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 18th September 2017, 11:01 PM

Thanks Jim, Before venturing into the unknown (for me) just to pause and observe the ethnographic angle for a moment where the faces of those warriors and others can be seen at;

https://www.pinterest.com/meltdown/a...rican/?lp=true

Here are some more shields for study ..

18th September 2017, 11:01 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Thanks Jim, Before venturing into the unknown (for me) just to pause and observe the ethnographic angle for a moment where the faces of those warriors and others can be seen at; https://www.pinterest.com/meltdown/a...rican/?lp=true Here are some more shields for study .. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 18th September 2017 at 11:21 PM.

16th September 2017, 07:37 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Thank you Tim for posting this thread and thank you Ibrahiim And Jim for your extremely interesting replies, fascinating. Regards Miguel

17th September 2017, 05:51 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Look up Valley of the Shields http://www.greerservices.com/Assets/...ar%20Gulch.pdf

18th September 2017, 09:11 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Ibrahiim, Thank you for that link! I was already intrigued by these shields and designs as we went through Wyoming and Montana and saw many examples in the museums. It seems that while many were buried with their owners, certain ones with significantly powerful tribal figures were passed on. Some of these are among those captured or turned over to government in arrangements. Some time ago I was studying 'rock art' and the pictographs found in European caves which derive from prehistoric man, and the nature of the symbols and designs. Much of this apparently was profoundly associated with shamanic activity, trances, and entoptic circumstances from visions etc. Considering the migrations of these early tribal people into the America's, it is fascinating to consider these phenomenon over many thousands of years and carried forth into the tribal tradition and religious beliefs. These tribal groups of Native Americans are actually quite amazing, and the more we learn about them, the more we realize how much so. Apparantly the symbolism used in these designs and devices was of course remarkably personal, and often had variant meaning to each individual, as well as within different tribal groups. Though there were some certain symbols with a degree of universality, their allegorical content might be notably deviated from these as placed with other such devices. It seems there have been some attempts at interpreting some of the shield designs, and with certain success in some cases, however many remain a mystery as to exact significance. In one case, an attempt to inquire with a person from one tribe on the designs seen on an example from another, and they declined, noting they were not permitted to discuss such matters of another tribe or person. Interestingly, there are certain parallels to the evolution of heraldry in European and other cultures, with stringent parallels and protocol very much in place.