After the Turkey Dance

Alicia Clark’s After the Turkey Dance combines bright colors with meticulous detail. You can almost see the shawls blowing in the wind. Alicia lives in Oklahoma. She describes her painting as follows: “The Turkey Dance is a sacred Caddo dance. It is only danced after sunset. The dance represents the time when the turkeys go back to their roost. Turkeys played a significant role in Caddo life. They were kept outside of the encampment and whe they heard anyone or anything approaching they would call out to warn the other turkeys. The Caddo used the turkeys for protection and to raise an alarm. The Turkey Dance honors the role played by the turkeys. After the Turkey Dance, the women hang their shawls and everyone gets ready to eat.”