Hastobiga, Navaho Medicine Man (1904 CE)

Hastobiga – Navaho Medicine Man is a captivating photograph by American photographer Edward S. Curtis, renowned for his extensive documentation of Native American cultures. This sepia-toned portrait captures Hastobiga, a Navajo (Diné) medicine man, adorned in ceremonial attire, gazing downward with a serene yet powerful presence. The image, part of Curtis’ monumental The North American Indian project, draws viewers into the spiritual and cultural depth of Navajo traditions, offering a glimpse into a world of ritual and reverence.

Created in 1904, this photograph is a product of Edward S. Curtis’ ambitious mission to document the lives and traditions of Native American tribes, which he believed were vanishing due to colonization. Taken during his travels through the southwestern United States, likely in Arizona or New Mexico near Canyon de Chelly, the portrait features Hastobiga, a respected Navajo hatałii (medicine man). The image appeared in The North American Indian, Volume 1 (1907), a 20-volume series funded by J.P. Morgan and endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt. Curtis’ work aimed to preserve cultural knowledge, capturing Hastobiga in a moment of ceremonial significance, reflecting the Navajo’s resilience amid historical upheavals like the Long Walk of 1864, a forced displacement that deeply impacted the tribe.

While specific anecdotes about Hastobiga himself are scarce, Curtis’ interactions with Navajo communities provide intriguing context. Curtis often staged his subjects to evoke a romanticized vision of Native life, sometimes asking them to wear traditional clothing or remove modern items. For this portrait, Hastobiga’s ceremonial attire—feather-adorned headdress, body paint, and ritual rattles—suggests Curtis collaborated with him to highlight the sacred role of the hatałii. Curtis’ dedication to his project was immense; he spent decades traveling, often under grueling conditions, to capture such images. One story recounts Curtis learning Navajo phrases to build trust with his subjects, ensuring authentic portrayals despite his outsider perspective.

The photo holds profound cultural and artistic significance as both a historical document and a work of art. Within Navajo culture, medicine men like Hastobiga are revered as hatałii, or “singers,” who restore hózhó (harmony) through intricate ceremonies involving chants, sand paintings, and herbal remedies. This image symbolizes the spiritual backbone of the Navajo, a matrilineal society whose traditions emphasize balance between humanity, nature, and the spiritual world. Artistically, Curtis’ use of sepia and photogravure techniques imbues the portrait with a timeless, almost ethereal quality, aligning with his goal to create a visual elegy for Native cultures. However, the work also sparks debate: while celebrated for preserving Navajo imagery, Curtis’ romanticized approach has been critiqued for perpetuating colonial stereotypes, influencing modern Native artists like Will Wilson to reframe such narratives.

The photograph is a vintage photogravure on Holland Van Gelder paper, a high-quality Dutch etching paper chosen by Curtis and J.P. Morgan for its texture and durability. The image measures approximately 19 × 14 cm (7.5 × 5.5 inches). The sepia tone enhances the portrait’s warmth, and Curtis’ signature, along with the “Copyright 1904 by Edward S. Curtis” mark in the lower left corner, authenticates the work. The meticulous photogravure process, involving etched copper plates, ensured exceptional detail, capturing the textures of Hastobiga’s furs, beads, and feathers.

Originally published in The North American Indian, Volume 1 (1907), plate 35, the photograph was part of a limited edition of approximately 272 sets. It is now housed in prestigious collections, including the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and Northwestern University Library.