SNAPSHOTS
c1930 Bullseye
The ‘hoop and pole’ game depicted here was an extremely popular activity among the indigenous nations and tribes of North America. Variations of the game existed across the continent, but each one typically involved directing a projectile such as a dart, spear or arrow through a moving hollow target. In this photograph taken in California’s San Joaquin Valley, two young Yokuts people can be seen preparing to hurl spears through a hoop made of willow bark and rawhide. While the main purpose of the activity was to have fun, it also helped participants develop their hunting techniques.