Books

A Study in Cultural Adaptation

More than a hundred sets of Apache playing cards are in museum collections across the globe, and this book examines their unique designs, patterns, and materials. The Waylands have had a nearly lifelong interest in these cards, which were introduced to the Southwest by European settlers. The Apache soon developed their own games and created their own decks, many made of hide and some even rumored to be of human skin—though this has never been proven. The methods of manufacture are explored in detail, and an illustrated chapter on the basic design elements allows the reader to see the range of variation from deck to deck. The major part of this densely illustrated volume is dedicated to detailed and comprehensive descriptions of these fascinating objects that represent a peaceful encounter between cultures.