“A Martinez [Reservation] Indian and his family, probably August Lomas.” Sometime after 1908. William W. Weinland Collection, Huntington Library, photCL 39 vol. 1 (69)
Often when looking at museum collections of old photos, we see photos long separated from their story: unnamed groups of people, unidentified events, and unknown locations, to name a frustrating few. This week, News from Dorothy Ramon Learning Center tells how Elder Ernest Siva (Cahuilla-Serrano), president of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, treasured a story for many years — and how that story is now finally reunited with its photo.
An Odd Note
We journeyed with readers in early June 2021 to discover the story of World War II hero Elmer Lomas of Martinez (now Torres-Martinez) Reservation. During the hunt for information, we came across this photo featuring his father, August Lomas.
August Lomas was a ceremonial leader and traditional cultural singer. But this features …
Trombones.
“Indian Band, Martinez reservation,” reads the caption information in the William W. Weinland Collection, Huntington Library, photCL 39 vol. 1 (74)
August Lomas is in the center. The time given is sometime between 1908 and 1929. Is this a Native American jazz band?
Nope.
I showed this photo to Ernest and June Siva. I asked them what musical instruments the Martinez musicians are holding. All trombones, they said.
Ernest Siva sees one bass trombone, two alto trombones, and two tenors, although the young player at far right is holding his trombone slightly out of the photo and denying a clearer view.
June Siva: “That’s a trombone choir.”
Ernest Siva: “The trombone choir!”
A trombone choir? Yes, a church choir consisting solely of trombones. And not just any trombone choir. This was the only Moravian trombone choir west of the Mississippi.
Ernest Siva paused the other day before his weekly rehearsal as director of the Pass Chorale, which is preparing for a scheduled December 12, 2021, Christmas concert in Banning. He told how he’s waited to see this photo for many years:
Morongo Reservation: One of a kind
Morongo Moravian Chapel decorated for Easter service, between 1908 and 1929, William W. Weinland Collection, Huntington Library, photCL 39 vol. 1 (61)
The Moravian church, which started in the Czech Republic in 1457 with one of the world’s first Protestant reform movements, first came to America (Georgia) in 1735. According to the Moravian Church, the founders emphasized that Christians are not defined by doctrine; instead it’s how they behave like Christ, for example in gentleness, humility, and patience. As the United States formed and grew, Moravian churches gradually spread to 16 states.
Yet Morongo Reservation had the only Moravian church and cemetery in the West, starting in 1890 with the arrival of the Rev. William Weinland (1861-1930). While serving as Morongo’s Moravian missionary, he helped and supported Native Americans’ fight for their homelands, along with basic civil rights and education. A small Moravian chapel also was built at Martinez, where the Rev. Weinland visited frequently.
In 2021, Morongo Reservation has the only Moravian Church in California.
Trombones at Sunrise
Written on the back: "Easter Morning Sunrise Service. 1920. Moravian Cemetery, Potrero [Morongo]. Potrero Cemetery." William W. Weinland Collection, Huntington Library, photCL 39 (105)
Moravians are very musical and traditionally the instrumental music consists of four-part chorales, including music that is uniquely Moravian.
According to the Moravian Music Foundation, a trombone choir (Posaunenchor in German) held a traditional role in Moravian church services starting in the 1700s in America. The trombones call the congregation to worship, and the trombone choir members also attend outdoor services, such as burial ceremonies and Easter sunrise services traditionally held in the Moravian cemetery.
And that’s how one photo played the music of a whole history, when it was reconnected with its story.
Thank You!
We have more stories to tell about the Moravian history at Morongo, especially the Rev. William Weinland’s roles in helping fight for Native American homelands and other causes in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s 501(c)3 nonprofit mission is to save and share Southern California Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts.
We love to hear from our community: EMAIL. Subscribe, share! Thank you! Pat Murkland, Editor. September 1, 2021.