Block party to highlight Prehistory Week

And Y. museum's event to tout new Kachina exhibit

Published: Saturday, May 10, 2008 12:45 a.m. MDT
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PROVO — Brigham Young University's Museum of Peoples and Cultures will host its annual block party in honor of Utah Prehistory Week as well as its new exhibit, "Kachinas of the Southwest: Dances, Dolls and Rain," from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

The event is free to the public. The museum, at 700 N. 100 East, Provo, has been hosting the event annually since 1993. Free food will be provided for all visitors.

Representatives from the Utah State Archaeology Society and Fremont Indian State Park, as well as other volunteers, will be giving hands-on demonstrations, providing visitors an opportunity to participate and learn more about the lifestyles of ancient cultures.

The booths will include information and activities on flint knapping (arrowhead making), rock art, lace making, cordage, basketry, pottery and corn grinding.

Other activities — such as petroglyph face painting and an open archaeology dig — will be all day. There will also be a special dance performance by the Native American performing group Morning Star.

Complimentary museum tours will be held throughout the day and will include the new exhibit.

The new display explores the Pueblo people's Kachina tradition, which is based on their belief in spiritual beings that exist in everything. Although these spirits are represented in various ways, dancing and dolls are the most common forms depicted. The museum displays more than 40 examples of beautifully carved and painted Kachina dolls along with other related artifacts. The exhibition also provides an overview of the development of the Kachina tradition.

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For more information about the museum, visit mpc.byu.edu.

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