It's easy to judge what we don't know, isn't it? An example of this are the masks, clothing, and accoutrements you will see below that make up the ceremonial attire worn by former Native Americans - which seem slightly daunting but are merely representations of figures that are part of their beliefs and culture.

According to John Kuroski of All That Is Interesting, which shared a gallery of all these images - and many more - the portraits were captured by photographer and anthropologist Edward Curtis in the early 20th century, and show members of various tribes., like Navajo and Kwakiutl. It is worth remembering that many of the customs and celebrations are falling by the wayside, which means that these traditions may be lost in future generations. Check out:

1 - Navajo Man with Ganaskidi Mask, the Deity of the Harvest

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

2 - Person of the Kwakiutl tribe with a Pgwis mask, figure representing the Seaman

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

3 - Man wearing a giant mask

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

4 - Navajo tribe native with leather mask

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

5 - Navajo native

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

6 - Man with crow mask

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

7 - Navajo Man

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

8 - Kwakiutl tribe person

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

9 - Koskimo tribe native with a complete costume

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

10 - Man dressed in mask of a deity named Paqusilahl

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

11 - Native Navajo wearing the mask of Haschebaad, a female deity of goodness

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

12 - Person with the mask of a rioting deity named Nuhlimahla

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

13 - Two natives with buffalo horn adorned masks

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

14 - Person with mask adorned with two snakes

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

15 - Woman wearing chalet and mask representing a dead relative

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

16 - Native ready to attend a ceremony

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

17 - Person dressed as a bear

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

18 - Several members gathered for ceremony

(All That Is Interesting / Edward Curtis / Library of Congress)

***

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