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Queso, Paiute Native American

 
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Title
Queso, Paiute Native American
Creator
Forbes, A. A., 1862-1921
Description
An impoverished Paiute named Queso in his lean-to; to his right is a woman lying down. To his left is a dog. In the background is another shanty, perhaps a take on the traditional Paiute dwelling, the nobe. Title on lower center: Queso Piaute (sic) Indian. Title supplied by cataloger.
Format Extent
1 postcard : b&w ; 9 x 14 cm
Subject
Northern Paiute Indians; Huts--California--Owens Valley; Lean-tos--California--Owens Valley; Dogs; Poverty--California--Owens Valley
Note
Queso was a member of the Northern Paiute, who live in Northern Nevada and in Eastern California in such places as the Owens Valley. The valley their home for centuries before their first contact with Europeans in the early nineteenth century, the Paiute based their way of life on agriculture, and hunting and gathering. Foreshadowing Anglo-American reliance on irrigation, Paiutes developed irrigation systems for their crops, utilizing the streams fed by the snow pack of the Sierras. Silver and gold strikes beginning in 1859 in the mountains surrounding the valley profoundly ruptured the Paiute way of life. Anglo-American and Mexican miners and settlers moved into the valley, resulting in a war that involved the U. S. Army from 1862 through 1865. The Paiute lost decisively, leading to their marginalization, both socially and economically in the valley. The photograph of Queso attest to the economic destitution of the Paiute. By the 1870s, the Paiute lived on the fringes of Anglo-American society and settlements and had begun to earn their living through working as farm and domestic labor. The Paiute faced segregation from Anglo-American society in such areas as public education until 1924 and such public venues as movie theaters. A. A. Forbes was a well-known photographer of cowboy life in Texas and Oklahoma. He was the owner of a photography studio in Bishop, California, from 1902 to 1916. He died in Lompoc, California.
Collection
J. D. Black Papers, CSLA-15, Series 3: Photographs, Subseries A: Photographic Postcards, Box 5, Sleeve 32
Type
Language
eng
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