indigenous

John Randolph Spears (b. 1850) was a well-traveled journalist at turn of the century, eventually writing nearly a dozen books, primarily on nautical and maritime themes. This early title is about the land, sea, flora, fauna, and cultures of South America’s southernmost region. The “gold diggings” from the title are mostly done on the east coast of Tierra del Fuego, where, after heavy storms, gold shows up on the black sands. The quest for gold often creates conflicts with indigenous communities of the area, which Spears takes great care to describe with sensitivity (for the times).

Whether through direct influences or broader affinities, African, Pre-Columbian, and Indigenous American objects undoubtedly informed the practice of Western artists throughout the 20th century. This catalog, from the inaugural show at New York’s Pace Primitive Gallery, juxtaposes body objects from African, Pre-Columbian, and Indigenous American cultures with jewelry by Alexander Calder, Ernest Trova, Louise Nevelson, and Pablo Picasso.

This is a famous historical work documenting Hawaiian oral traditions, originally written by Davida Malo in the 19th century. Malo's “Hawaiian catechism” not only documents indigenous Hawaiian myths and genealogy, but also describes cultural norms and taboos, rituals considered essential to well-being, and native Hawaiians' deep connections with their islands through names. While Ka mo'olelo Hawaii has been in print on-and-off for more than 150 years, this edition benefits significantly from the efforts of translator and editor Malcolm Nāea Chun.