Antlers and Socks: The Story of Deer Dancer

I knew there was a reason I held on to this one. When I returned to the clay in January, I had fresh memories of the holiday season in the Pueblo. During the winter in Cochiti, there are many dances and ceremonies. The one that has the lasting memories for me is the deer dance.

This dance is a tradition that honors deer, their spirit, and their role in our culture. Participants wear complex headpieces made with real antlers, eagle feathers and juniper branches, along with an equally elaborate dance costume. During the dance the participants crouch down on wooden sticks, mimicking the stance and gait of a deer. It is a vigorous and demanding pace; at the same time it is fun and exhilarating. The deer often appear alongside buffalo dancers and other animals, including ram, antelope, and elk. During Christmas, the nature of the deer dancing in the Buffalo Dance takes a more festive tone, and children are encouraged to participate.

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