Shoshone Tales with Guests from the Northwestern Band of Shoshone

Traditional Shoshone folklore — told through live performances — is in the spotlight at the next Saturdays at the Museum activity presented by the Museum of Anthropology at Utah State University. Special guests for the day are members of the Northwestern Band of Shoshone from Brigham City, Utah.

Performances are provided by Shoshone children, depicting the “Theft of Pine Nuts,” from traditional Shoshone folklore. The tale is told through improvisatory acting, storytelling and traditional songs.

The performances are presented at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. outside of Old Main near its south entrance.

The Shoshone, performing in homemade costumes and masks, represent the people of Chief Raven’s village, aided by tricky Coyote, who successfully raid another village — the only one in the world to have pine nuts. They escape with the delicious seeds and plant them at home so they can always have this important and delicious food.

Inside Old Main, the museum will display Shoshone crafts. Light refreshments will be served.

“This is a unique opportunity to see Shoshone folklore performed by children,” said Emily Baker, a member of the Saturdays at the Museum team. “After each performance, there will be an interactive teaching game designed to teach traditional Shoshone words through song.”

Community members, as well as Utah State students, can visit the museum during its operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Funding for the Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online.

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.

For more information about this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website.

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Related links:

USU Anthropology Program

USU Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology

USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Source: Museum of Anthropology

Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, (435) 797-7545, anthro.museum@usu.edu