Northwestern part of Sonora State, Mexico
Seri civilization

Wood, pigment
ca. 1926
Height: 18 in; Width: 14 in
Other – Ritual Symbolism

A rare wooden frame dance crown with open framework of wood painted blue and light rose made by Mexico’s indigenous ‘Seri’ people, ca. 1925.  It has tall, striped (white, light rose, & blue) vertical sticks that are topped with an unpainted carved bird.  The Seri has lived in northwestern Mexico for more than 500 years and now survive in the northwestern part of Sonora State, by the Sea of Cortez, mainly in front of Tiburon Island that they own. Centuries ago, there were more than 5,000 Seris, making up six groups of Comcáac (means: ‘people’) Seri but today there are fewer than 1,000, who speak both Spanish and their native language (Cmiique iitom). 

Previously, the women wore delicate face paint and perhaps some still do on special occasions such as the celebration of the Comcáac Seri new year, which is observed on the last day of June and the first day of July.   Traditionally, their religion was the belief in the power of animals which is reflected in this dance crown with the bird on top.  Today most Seri are members of the Mexican Christian Church.

Resource: https://creativepinellas.org/magazine/seri-tribe-konkaak-comcaac-of-sonora-mexico/