Offered in this lot is a hand carved wood "Deer Dancer". The deer dance of the Yaqui, (Yoeme) and Mayo people of Sonora is sacred and rarely photographed. It is said to have been held before a deer hunt, thanking the deer for his sacrifice so that the people may live. Deer dancers wear rattles around their ankles made from butterfly cocoons, honoring the insect world, and rattles from the hooves of deer around their waist, honoring the many deer who have died. Instruments include gourd rattles held by the dancer. The dancer on the carved wood stands 11 1/2" tall and 5" wide. The carving does have repaired damage,