Vintage Photo

Maricopa child

"It was taken in 1907 by Edward S. Curtis.

The picture presents the Maricopa child seated in large basket."

When I see this picture, at first I think 'cute'. This child is obviously very young, and the confused or agitated look on his face is priceless. This picture also makes me wonder; Why is this little boy within the large basket? Is that a way that this type of people at their time carried around their children? If so, I find it fascinating that these people in the early 1900's were innovative enough to find a different way to support and carry their children. Rather than carrying the child within their arms. Or, did the child just simply walk into the basket? And why? Was there something interesting within the basket? I can see a blanket, but I am unsure if that is just what the child was wearing prior to entering the basket or if it was in the basket before he entered. I also notice the amount of clothing the baby is wearing. Why so little clothing? Is the overall temperature very warm? Are the Maricopa people located close to the equator? Where exactly are they? Were they nomadic? Or did they stay within one location grow crops, build families, and call that home?  My eye was also attracted to the way the baby's body is; tense, tight, aware, cautious. I am guessing the basket wasn't as sturdy as the child had assumed and it began to tip just a tad. Therefore leaving the baby to compensate by shifting his weight, and regaining his balance by hinging his hands to the edges of the basket. The child's face is -as I said before- confused or agitated. Why does he have this facial expression? Who is the boy looking at? Is maybe what/ who he is looking at the reason why he is in the basket? Next I looked at the texture of the basket, what is this basket made out of? Wood? Threads? A mixture of components? Is the basket comfortable for the child? Was the material used in abundance and of great use to the people? Located on the basket is a design or array of symbols. What was used to make these symbols? What do these symbols mean? Do the pictures just look pretty? Or do they actually have meaning? If so (they have meaning), was this meaning sacred? Religious? The designs are very beautiful and look like they may have taken a lot of time, were these people great artists? Was this one of the Maricopa peoples' main interests or goals (to create a society full of culture)? Overall the picture said a lot about the people; their possible culture, their location of living, the overall climate of this place, the innovation and intelligence that these people acquired. I am very happy to have chosen this picture, because I was able to question the photo and learn some things about the Maricopa people. 

picture: http://www.old-picture.com/indians/Maricopa-Child.htm