Oscar E. Berninghaus
Inspection of Arms
Oscar E. Berninghaus, Inspection of Arms, oil on canvas, 30 x 36 in. Collection of Koshare Art Museum, La Junta, CO.
Wintertime at Taos Pueblo brings change for the year. Annually on January 1, tribal officials are selected to govern their home and lands. Separated by two groups, Warchief and Governor take their seat as leadership of the community. The first rule of order from the Warchief is having inspection of all weapons from any able man in the village. A centuries-long practice, it continues today as a closed community tradition.