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ARGILLITE
The Haida Native people are renowned for
their beautiful "black slate" or Argillite carvings. They began
carving Argillite in response to the early curio trade of the 1820’s.
Soon the artistic accomplishments of the Haida in the use of materials
such as wood, horn and stone included this new medium.
The Argillite used by Haida carvers is a
black or gray carbonaceous shale found at Slate chuck Creek on the Queen
Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. Argillite is a relatively soft stone
to carve, although it’s difficult to obtain large pieces from the
quarries. The supply of Argillite is not in any apparent danger of being
exhausted so this Haida tradition of carvings will continue for many years
to come.
Apart from small Totem Poles, the primary
objects carved from Argillite include plates with incised designs,
pendants, pipes, small boxes and sculptured figures. Some carvers give
their work a high polish with emery cloth or other materials which enhance
the deep black qualities of the stone.
Even today, Argillite continues to be
carved exclusively by Haida artists both on the Queen Charlotte Islands
(their homeland) and in the Vancouver and Victoria areas.
BASKETS
were traditionally made on the
Northwest Coast for such purposes as gathering food, cooking, storage, and
for hats and cradles. Later, when baskets began to be made for selling
purposes, a variety of forms were created. They included trays, miniature
containers and basketry-covered bottles.
Each tribal group of the Northwest Coast
has its own distinctive style of basketry that utilizes different
materials and techniques. Common to all styles of basket making is the
lengthy process of gathering and preparing the materials to be used in the
basket making. There’s bark, roots and grasses that must be harvested,
dried, split and perhaps dyed before the weaving process or sewing of the
basket can begin.
The effects of pollution, land development
and logging in some areas mean that basket makers must go longer distances
from their homes to obtain their materials.
Today, Nootks (West Coast), Haida and
Salish artists produce the most readily available basketry. The best of
contemporary baskets as well as antique ones are becoming collector’s
items.
Taking care of your baskets requires that
they are not in direct sunlight or bright artificial light. Too much light
and heat will case the basket to become dry and brittle as well as cause
the colors to fade. Alternately, baskets should not be kept in humid
conditions since mildew and dust will collect on them and fibers might
stretch. Baskets should be handled with care – always use two hands,
never lift a basket by its rim and avoid using a basket’s handles or
knobs. Too much pressure on the basket may cause the fibers to break so be
careful if you decide to use your basket for storage or other purposes. Do
not attempt to wash your basket as this can only cause strain on the
already tensely woven fibers and lead to warping or breakage. To clean
baskets, use a soft brush to remove any dust.
BEADWORK
is one of many mediums that have
been mastered by the Northwest Coast and Plains Native artists.
Traditionally,
Tantalum shells, Porcupine
quill and Abalone shell is used to accentuate the beadwork. Deerskin is
commonly used to link chokers, watch bands, hairpieces and bolo ties, as
it is highly elastic and very soft to the skin.
BEAR
Bear is known as the protector of the
animal kingdom. In Haida culture is referred to as "Elder
Kinsman" and was treated like a high ranking guest when killed. Eagle
down was sprinkled before it was brought in to the tribe to display
respect.
In West Coast culture, there are several
legends telling of a Chief’s daughter being abducted by a bear. The high
ranking woman had been out in the woods picking berries and stepped on
some Bear dung and began to curse out loud, insulting their cleanliness.
Two Bears nearby heard her and decided they would not tolerate such
insolence. They felt the disrespectful woman had to be punished. To do
this, one Bear transformed himself into a very handsome man who approached
this woman, and seductively lured her to accompany him to his mountain
home. When she did, she fell in love with him and became partially
Bear-like herself.
She later married him and had twin cubs.
Their children were born as little creatures that resembled bears who
could metamorphose themselves into human form like their father.
The woman’s brothers eventually found
her and, in an unequal contest, killed her husband. They returned to the
village but the two bear sons did not feel comfortable and eventually left
to return to the forest. All Bear Clan members are descended from this
woman and her two sons.
Because of this, it is believed that there
is a bear within all of us and that we must come to terms with this in our
lives.
A Sea bear is part Bear part Killer Whale.
BEAVER
Known as the carpenter of the animal
kingdom, the Beaver is said to have once been a woman. Tsimshian legends
tells of a woman who dammed a stream to swim in it. Then refused to get
out so she was transformed and her leather apron became a Beaver’s tail.
In Haida legend it is the Beaver who is
responsible for providing the Salmon that the Raven had stolen to give
back to the people.
BENTWOOD
BOX
The Bentwood Box is a uniquely fabricated
container in which a single plank of wood is grooved where corners are
desired. The wood is made pliable with heat and moisture and bent to form
a four-sided shape. Wooded pegs or laces secure the two ends. Then the box
shape is attached to a bottom piece of wood, which has been grooved on its
edges to fit. The top, which is optional, is grooved to fit the sides.
The Native people of the Pacific Northwest
Coast, including parts of southern Alaska, western British Columbia and
southern Washington traditionally produced Bentwood Boxes.
The boxes and chests were used as storage
containers, the watertight ones for holding hot rocks and water for
cooking, and the highly decorated ones as symbols of wealth. They range in
size from small (measured in inches) to massive (large enough to provide
seating).
BOOKWUS
Bookwus, the wild man of the woods, is a
supernatural ghost like figure. He is associated with the spirits of
people who have drowned. He lives in an invisible house in the forest and
attracts the spirits of those who have drowned to his home.
Bookwus also tries to persuade humans to
eat ghost food so that they will become like him. The Bookwus was a
significant character for the Kwakiutl people.
COPPER
The "Copper" was used by the
First Nations people as a form of money and wealth. It was made out of
"Native" copper which was found in the land where they lived,
and superficially resembled a shield. Considered very rare and hard to
obtain, raw copper was traded from the Athabaskan Indians in the Interior
Plains, or from the white man in later times.
Coppers were beaten into shape and usually
painted or engraved with traditional designs. Most Coppers were fairly
large, often 2 to 3 feet tall and a foot across.
One of the most interesting aspects of the
Copper is that they were given names so that their worth and heritage
could be passed on. A Copper was only worth what it was last traded for,
and it could only be traded for a larger amount the next time around.
Consequently, some Copper values became highly valuable – worth the
total of 1,500 to 2,000 blankets, a couple of war canoes and hundreds of
boxes and bowls.
No matter what the original value was the
next person who wanted it had to trade more in exchange for it. Only the
richest and most powerful could afford the price of an old Copper. Many
Coppers were in rather shabby condition as a result of having been used in
quarrels between Chiefs.
To the Kwakiutl, the ownership and display
of a Copper became an essential for the proper conduct of a marriage or
important dance ritual.
A man whose family’s
honor had been
injured by the actions of remarks of another would publicly have a piece
cut from a valuable Copper and give the piece to the offender. That person
was obligated to cut or "break" a Copper in return. The broken
pieces could be brought up and joined into a new Copper or used to replace
pieces missing from a "broken" one.
The most valuable Kwakiutl Coppers tend to
be rough and patched since they have the longest history and have been
broken the most often. Coppers that have been broken have a certain
prestige value that is quite independent from their monetary value.
COWICHAN
KNITS
Genuine Cowichan knits are made from raw
sheep’s wood which contains most of its original lanolin. This makes it
water-resistant, much longer wearing and superior to industrial processed
wool. The wool has natural hues of white, gray and black and is not dyed.
Native artists hand-card, spin and knit the wool in a variety of
traditional designs.
To wash your Cowichan knits, use lukewarm
water, just a little cooler than your hand. Add a small amount of wool
soap or a minute amount of mild detergent and mix well. If too much soap
is used, you will wash out the lanolin that makes the knit waterproof.
Gently squeeze the water through the soiled parts of the garment and rinse
in two or three waters of the same temperature. Squeeze out the water and
roll in a bath towel to eliminate as much water as possible, stretch into
shape and lay flat to dry.
DOGFISH
The Dogfish is a crest that is often
applied to utilitarian objects. It’s often portrayed with a labret in
its lip as a reminder of a legend of a woman carried off by the Dogfish a
long time ago.
The Dogfish Woman Mask is the most
prominent Shark in Haida legends. It’s considered a family crest of
Haida royalty. All other Sharks are referred to as "Dogfish
Mother’. In addition to the Shark-like features, the Dogfish Woman wears
a labret in her lower lip which is traditionally worn by artistocratic
Haida women. The Dogfish is one of the most powerful crests that is
associated with feminine qualities. As well, it enters the realm of
supernatural beings.
CARING
FOR YOUR DRUM
Both plain or painted rawhide drums may be
cared for in the same way. Allow a drum to be played using only fingers,
hands or beaters that are padded at the tip. Striking with an unpadded
stick can crack or even puncture some skinheads.
Drums may be protected from scratches and
damage from the elements when traveling by using a drum bag, wrapping in
a blanket or providing other similar type care.
They will change in tone as a result of
fluctuating humidity and/or temperature. Drums sound their best within the
same humidity and temperature range comfortable to most people.
In the cool Maritime
climates, similar to
the Pacific Coast, drums and rattles should not be stored or displayed
close to the floor or in trunks where they will draw moisture.
A drum that becomes too cool or damp will
loosen and the tone dulls. It should not be played until re-tightened
through warming. Never attempt to tighten a drumhead by pouring hot water
over it or putting it close to an open flame. This will cause the head to
become brittle and crack. Avoid putting a drum close to any heat source
than what would be comfortable to your own skin.
Drums needing re-tightening should be
warmed gently and slowly. A drum that is only slightly dull may be warmed
by gently rubbing the head in a circular motion from the center out with
an open bare hand for a few minutes. Indoors, turning up the heat works.
If traveling, you could use a vehicle heater.
Exposure to extreme conditions, such as
hot dry Summer days, very dry Winter conditions or sunlight passing
through a window will cause a drumhead to shrink and tighten too quickly,
perhaps excessively. This will result in a higher pitched, even tinny,
sound. Even worse, a drum’s lacings may break under such conditions, the
head may become brittle and crack or the frame may warp.
To avoid damage under conditions of
extreme temperature and low humidity, moisture can be added to the air by
using a humidifier or teapot. Moisture may be applied directly to the drum
by wiping the head with a lightly dampened cloth. Where such climatic conditions are
the norm, as in areas of Alaska and Arizona, an animal or
vegetable oil may be lightly applied to the lacing and/or drumhead (on the
inside for a single head) to allow it more flexibility.
Shade any drum displayed in direct
sunlight.
Proper care aids in the usefulness and
extends the life of all natural materials.
EAGLE
The noble Eagle is seen as a symbol of
power and prestige. Eagle also has a strong connection to peace. This
species is still plentiful in the Pacific Northwest. They have long been a
source of artistic inspiration for both traditional and contemporary
Native artists.
The Eagle is considered an important Clan
crest and is frequently depicted on totem poles, masks, prints and
jewelry.
Eagle down, considered sacred, was used in
ceremonies to welcome someone in friendship. "Down" was
sprinkled on the ground before an important visitor came into the tribe.
Eagle feathers are used for smudging and praying. The feathers were also
given as a symbolic offering to bestow honor for acts of courage and
wisdom.
The Cree consider each feather as having
special meaning and distinction. They make up the Cree dancers regalia and
must be earned one at a time.
FROG
A symbol of prosperity and wealth, the
Frog was said to have warned humans of impending danger. The Frog is
frequently depicted in the art of the Northwest Coast and many legends are
attached to this whimsical little animal.
Known as an important family crest figure,
the Frog or "Wukus" is the announces who tells the end of the
Winter Dance season. It’s said that when the last snowflakes of the
winter touch the ground they turn into Frogs. Then the Native people know
that there is only six weeks until the Salmon return to the rivers and
Summer begins.
In Haida culture, the Frog is often shown
on House posts because it is believed that this helps keep the house from
falling over.
In Tsimshian culture, the Frog is known as
the communicator between mother earth and man. Frog is considered the only
child to mother earth.
There is a story about Volcano Woman. Her
only child, the Frog, saw evil men hunting her earth creatures for
pleasure rather than necessity. When the men notices Frog, they knew they
would be found out so they killed him. Volcano Woman erupted and destroyed
the earth in her sorrow furry. She cried great tears of lava. The earth
was destroyed but in time would be born again even stronger and more
fertile.
More Frog legends
Frog is a creature of great importance in Northwest Coast art and
culture. As a creature that lives in two worlds, water and land,
Frog is revered for his adaptability, knowledge and power to
traverse worlds and inhabit both natural and supernatural realms.
Frogs are primary spirit helpers of shamans. A great communicator,
Frog often represents the common ground or voice of the people.
Frog's songs are believed to contain divine power and magic. When
shown in art as touching or sharing his tongue with another
creature, Frog represents an exchange of knowledge and power. Frog
designs are commonly used as decorative elements, so that Frog
faces, for example, peek out from another creature's ears, mouth or
hands. In symbolic terms the emergence of frog from these orifices
may represent an eruption of magic and unseen interior and other
worlds.
Frog is often associated with copper and great wealth. Legendary
Haida princes are said to have attended feasts wearing necklace
chains made of living Frogs. The Haida carved Frog on house pole to
prevent them from falling over. They also included them in many
other carvings, from feast bowls to totem poles. Frogs on Haida
Gwaii, B.C.'S Queen Charlotte Islands, are actually northern toads.
One Haida name for Frog (toad) is "crab of the woods".
Many legends are attached to this whimsical little animal. The
Tlingit of Alaska tell of it's distribution in a story about a
chief's daughter who made fun of Frog. She was then lured into his
lake by Frog in human form, who then married her. Her angry parents
drained the lake and scattered Frogs in every direction. Some B.C.
First nations told that Frog announces the end of the winter dance
season. It is said that when the last snowflakes of winter touch the
ground they turn into Frogs. Then the Native people know that there
is only six weeks until the Salmon begin returning to the rivers and
summer begins.
One story about Frog tells he was volcano woman's only child. One
day Frog saw evil men hunting only for pleasure rather than
necessity. When the men noticed Frog they killed him. Volcano woman
erupted in her sorrow and furry, crying great tears of lava. She
destroyed the earth, but in time it would be born again even
stronger and more fertile.
Yet another Frog legend says a village was starving because no one
could catch any fish or game, so a warrior went out to try to find
some food. No one had been successful for a long time. The warrior
met a bird who instructed him to follow, so he could help him. The
bird brought him to a Frog, who let the warrior wear his skin. With
the Frog skin, the warrior was able to get enough food for the whole
village but, as time passed, the warrior was fully transformed into
a Frog, and he went to sea. There he could live and catch fish and
other seafood. Until his days were no longer he provided these foods
to his village.
HALIBUT
The Halibut is a flat fish that starts
life swimming in a vertical plan and eventually turns over on its side to
become a bottom feeder. The underneath eye moves to the upper side, giving
the fish its unique appearance.
An abundant food source, the Kwagiulth
believed the Halibut threw off its skin and fins to emerge as the first
Human after the Great Flood subsided.
Commonly carved in feast dishes and used
for oolichan oil. The more detailed and elaborate a dish, the more highly
ranked the person was who owned it.
HAWK
MASK
The Hawk Mask was used during one of the
Kwakiutl Winter ceremonies by an initiated member of one of the secret
societies.
The privilege of membership was usually
secured by marriage. The right was passed on to a woman and she, in turn,
gave them to her children by her father or uncle. Occasionally a man would
declare himself half-woman to marry himself and pass the right onto him.
HOK
HOK
Hok Hok is a long beaked bird monster who
is a part of the great household in the sky which is controlled by the
Chief cannibal spirit, Bakbakwasnooksiwae. The Hok Hok is portrayed in
dances of the Hamatsa society in the important Kwakiult winter ceremonies.
HUMAN
Humans are often represented as being
partially from the spirit world. If the subject is a woman, occasionally a
small disc (a labret) is placed in the lower lip. This may be represented
as an ovoid.
Faces of humans, or their spiritual
counterparts, frequently appear within the outlines of other creatures.
HUMMINGBIRD
This beautiful tiny bird once abundant on
the West Coast is known by the whimsical name "Sah Sen".
Contemporary in style, the Hummingbird represents friendship and
playfulness.
The Hummingbird is also a symbol of good
luck and good fortune. It was considered a positive sign to spot a
Hummingbird just prior to some major event such as hunting or traveling to another village. The ability of the Hummingbird to hover and move back
and forth at great speeds is seen as skills that guide the people. For
example, if the people fall behind, the Hummingbird can easily back up to
keep pace. Legend says that the Hummingbird puts the twinkle in the stars,
and that catching a Hummingbird guarantees your choice of a mate.
The Hummingbird is a well respected
symbol.
INUKSHUK
In contemporary times, the Inukshuk was
thought of as a direction marker on the vast, featureless tundra of the
Arctic. However, it was used traditionally by the Inuit to help in hunting
Caribou. From a distance these cairns resembled a human form, and were
built of large stones and placed in lines on the top of hills on each side
of a narrow valley.
The Caribou were often deceived and would
be drawn into hunting areas strategically placed at the head of the
valley. There, the hunters would have ample opportunity to increase their
food stocks tenfold. After a particularly successful hunt, a new Inukshuk
was sometimes erected to mark a food cache of excess dried meat to be
hoarded for future lean times for the Inuit people.
KILLER
WHALE
The legend of the Killer Whale is a tale
of Natcitlaneh who was abandoned on an island by his brothers-in-law who
were jealous of his prowess as a hunter. He was rescued by the Sea Lions
and taken to their village in a cave where he healed their Chief. In
gratitude, the Sea Lions gave him supernatural powers which enabled him to
carve eight wooden Killer Whales. These Whales came to life when they were
placed in the sea and avenged him by killing his brothers-in-law.
As a mark of respect, Natcitlaneh built a
house and named it Killer Whale House. According to the legend, the
ancestors visited the house located at the bottom of the ocean to obtain
rights to use the Killer Whale as a crest.
Held in great awe for its power and size,
it was believed a Killer Whale could capture a canoe and take it
underwater to transform the occupants into Whales. Thus a Whale near the
shore was a human transformed and trying to communicate with his family.
The Whale is a popular symbol for romance
as they mate for life. The Whale, like the Wolf, stays with its family and
travel in large pods.
KOMOKWA
The Komokwa is of major importance in
Kwaguilth mythology. He was the king of the undersea world, master and
protector of the seals who were a symbol of wealth. His name means
"wealthy one" and he ruled from a great rich house under the
water. The house contained great wealth in blankets, coppers and other
treasures.
Many humans of legendary history attempted
to reach this kingdom. Those who achieved their goal became wealthy and
powerful, returning to their home village with magical boxes full of
treasure.
MOON
The Moon was the exclusive crest of only a
few of the highest ranking Chiefs among the Haida. Rights to this crest
are still inherited.
The Raven is said to have released the
Moon into the sky. The stars are pieces of the Moon that flung off when
Raven threw it into the sky. An eclipse was said to be a Codfish trying to
swallow the Moon. In order to prevent this, a bonfire was set with green
boughs to add smoke. As people danced ceremonially around the fire, thick
smoke rose to the sky causing the codfish to cough and spit out the Moon.
When the people saw the Moon appear at the edge of the mountain they would
drum to bring the Moon higher into the sky.
MOSQUITO
Kwagiulth legend tells about "The
Cannibal at the North end of the World" who was enticing all the
humans with a rainbow colored smoke. He would then capture them. A clever
Chief dug a huge pit fathoms of fathoms deep and tricked "The
Cannibal at the North end of the World" who fell into the pit turning
to rainbow colored ash. The Chief cast a spell on him saying; "You
will no longer harm my people as ‘The Cannibal at the North end of the
World’ but you shall be a Mosquito".
OJIBWAY
BASKETRY
This form of basketry is mainly woven from
sweet grass, birch bark and Porcupine quills. Traditionally, it was a
craft perfected by the Ojibway women but today there are no boundaries.
This task requires undivided patience and skill; therefore, only the
mature and experienced weavers have mastered this art.
At one time, this art was in serious
jeopardy of being lost forever. However, with the resurgence of Native
arts and crafts exemplifying the highest quality and intricacy, there are
now many basket weavers intent on keeping the tradition alive.
OWL
The Owl is one of the many crest figures
depicted in Northwest Coast Native design. Often, they are associated with
the souls of deceased ancestors and are viewed with respect.
Owl Masks are used in the Winter
ceremonies and appear as members of the sky kingdom. The Owl is commonly
depicted in Mask form and also represented in Totem Poles.
PUGMIS
The Pugmis, or Merman, is an undersea
serpent in Human form. He is a harmless creature who lives in the undersea
kingdom and is always represented when this kingdom is portrayed in
Potlatch Ceremonies. From overhead the Loon guides this creature through
the water and, for this reason, the Pugmis masks are usually carved with a
Loon on his head.
RAVEN
The Raven is the transformer, trickster
and creator. Known in legends as the one who released the sun, moon, and
stars; discovered man in a clamshell; brought the salmon and the water;
and taught man how to fish and hunt.
Raven in Kwaguilth culture is known as the
sky messenger of the animal kingdom. The Raven is famous for being a
somewhat mischievous glutton. He was always out to please himself and have
a good time, but his adventures always ended up bettering mankind.
The story of "Raven Steals the
Lights" is legendary. An old man lived in a house on the bank of a
river with his only child – a daughter. At this time, it was pitch black
everywhere and no one could see anything. So whether she was beautiful or
not, there wasn’t a way anyone could tell. Thus begins the tale of the
Raven and the Sun. It’s said that the old man kept the Sun locked in a
box inside a box, which had yet another box containing an infinite number
of boxes until finally there was one so small that all it could contain
was all the light in the universe.
The Raven was not satisfied with the state
of darkness since it led to his blundering and bumping into everything.
This slowed him down in his pursuit of the good things in life, which was
what he loved more than getting into mischief. One day he crashed into the
old man’s house and he heard the man and his daughter talking about the
light. He decided he wanted the light for himself so he waited for the
daughter to leave the house. He transformed himself into a pine needle to
slip into a bucket of water. When the daughter drank the water and
swallowed the pine needle, the Raven transformed himself into a tiny human
being inside her. When he emerged, he was a very odd looking child, but it
was too dark to noticed his long nose and the few feathers still clinging
to him.
As the Raven/Child gained the affection of
the old man, he devised a plan to get the Sun. He asked for the largest
box in the house and upon being refused, he cried and screamed so loudly
that the Grandfather gave him the box. After all it was only one and there
were so many more. It took many days, but after a few well-executed
tantrums the Raven/Child removed all the boxes. When only a few were left,
a strange radiance began to suffuse the room. The Raven/Child begged to
hold the light for only a few moments, and even though the Grandfather had
come to love the Raven/Child with only a glimpse of him, he gave him the
light. As the light was passed to him, the Raven/Child transformed into a
huge Raven. He snapped up the light and flew up the smoke hole of the
house into the darkness of the world.
The Raven now rejoiced with his new
possession and was having such a good time that he did not see the Eagle
come upon him. In a panic, he swerved and dropped almost half the light he
was carrying. It fell to the rocky ground and broke into pieces. They
bounced back into the sky and remain there to this day as the Moon and the
Stars.
Meanwhile, the Raven was pursued to the
edge of the world and, exhausted, he finally let go of his last piece of
light. It fell to the East and that is how the Raven gave us the Sun.
RED
CEDAR
One of the greatest gifts to the Northwest
Coast Native people was the red cedar tree - a source of some of the
finest materials for making objects of use and beauty. Magnificent in
itself, with a beautifully flared base that tapers suddenly to a tall,
straight trunk with reddish brown bark, the red cedar gracefully sweeps it
boughs of gray-green needles.
The wood is soft with a wonderful firmness
that permeates a most incredible odor, so pleasing to the human sense of
smell but not to moths. This is why cedar is ideal for chests used to
store garments and other valuables.
A good cedar tree will split true and
clean into forty-foot planks with scarcely a knot. Across the grain, it
cuts cleanly and precise. Red cedar has the widest colour spectrum of any
wood – from blonde through to pink and chocolate brown. When steamed, it
will bend without breaking. From birth to death, the wood, bark, roots and
leaves of this mystical powerful cedar tree provides generously for the
needs of the Native people – materially, ceremonially and medicinally.
Great cedar trees with clear true grain
are becoming more difficult to find as they succumb to the logger’s saw.
Yet there is no other tree that can provide quite like the red cedar.
SALMON
The Pacific Northwest Coast people
believed that Salmon were actually humans with eternal life how lived in a
large house far under the ocean. In the Spring, they put on their Salmon
disguises and offered themselves to the villagers as food. The tribes
believed that when entire fish skeletons were returned to the sea, the
spirits would rise again and change into Salmon people. In this way, the
cycle could begin again the following year. Since the villagers feared
that the Salmon people would not be treated respectfully by White people
who had no knowledge of the taboos and regulations, they did not want to
sell Salmon to the first White men.
Salmon is considered the staple food of
many coastal communities, brought to the rivers seas by the Raven. The
Haida tell of how Raven stole the salmon from the Beaver people by rolling
up their stream and landscape like a carpet and flying away. It was so
heavy that he could only fly a short distance at a time. He would stop
wherever there was a tree to rest. The Beaver people transformed
themselves back into Beavers in order to stop him. They would gnaw down
the trees that Raven stopped at and each time some Salmon and stream would
escape the rolled up landscape forming great streams and rivers of Salmon.
Not only was the salmon a favorite food of the Raven, it also became a
favorite of the Haida.
In Kwagiulth culture, twins alone have the
right to the Salmon dance. To give birth to twins was a sacred gift
bestowed on a mother and was believed to have come from the Salmon people.
SEA
LION
The Sea Lion was of great value for the
West Coast people. He was hunted for food and its skin used for clothing
and fishing floats. The Sea Lion was also important in the legends and
myths, especially for the Nootka culture.
In the creation myth, the Sea Lion’s
services are enlisted by the Raven to help him land in exchange for a fur
coat so he can swim in the coldest of waters and keep warm.
SEAL
The round harbor seal is an important
family crest. It was a favorite theme of northern bowl carvers, probably
because it was an important source of oil and its meat and blubber were
significant foods at feasts. Perched on its round belly on a reef, the
harbor seal is a familiar sight to coast travelers.
The Seal Dish, also named the Potlatch
Dish or House Dish, was a treasured heirloom which families brought out
for great feasts. The use of the dish was an inherited privilege acquired
by ancestral heroes in the course of legendary encounters with
supernatural benefactors. The forms of the dish was made to look like
Seals or Sea Lions and was linked to their function as vessels for
plentiful food and not with crest privileges of any particular family. The
carvings associated with the consumption of food far exceeded their
function as mere containers for useful implements. The containers with
inlaid Abalone and shells would be reserved for high-ranking guests or
chiefs.
SHAMAN
More often than not Shamans were men and
severe illness, hallucinations, visions or frequent dreams were considered
the signs of such a calling.
The role of the Shaman was a powerful and
respectful one, and was therefore sought after. A Shaman would pass on
their powers to a younger family member who was prepared and destined for
this role. A lengthy apprenticeship followed where a novice was to acquire
their master’s skills and learn how to control the spirit helpers. The
success of the Shaman was dependent on the powers of the spirit helpers
who would punish the Shaman if they did not perform the rites correctly.
These spirit helpers could be birds, insects, reptiles, constellations or
other elemental forces.
Generally a Shaman served as a seer,
performed and healer. If a patient remained ill or died, the Shaman was
required to reimburse the family as well as deal with shame and ridicule
from the community.
A Shaman mask will often have a crown of
Bear claws or Mountain Goat horns as a part of the ceremonial regalia.
SISIUTL
A dramatic supernatural creature, the
double headed Sea Serpent is one of the most high ranking crests in
Kwagiulth culture. Its power possesses it to shift shape and transform
from animal to man at anytime. As well, a Sisiutl can change itself into a
self-propelled canoe which the owner must feed with Seals.
Touching the serpent or even looking at
it, or a glance from it, can cause death. Legends say Shamans tried to
kill the Sisiutl for its healing power and magic. It’s closely assocated
with war and strength, death and revival, so warriors try to kill it to
rub its blood on themselves to attain its skillful strength and become
invulnerable. A warrior would often wear a head band or belt in the image
of a Sisiutl to provide protection from harm.
Flakes of shiny mica found on beaches were
thought to be the discarded scales from the serpent’s body. Whether
carved or painted, the Sisiutl is depicted with a profile head, teeth and
a large curled tongue at each end of its serpetine form and in the centre
is a human head. Fins run along its back and curled appendages or horns
rise from all three heads. The painted body represents scales and it may
be carved horizontally, formed into a U-shape or coiled into a circle.
Sisiutl guarded the entrance to the homes
of the supernatural. It was painted on the sides of canoes and hung over
doorways to protect the inhabitants from evil spirits.
SISIUTL
(Font is AuntJudy)
The internet has been a great source of information on Sisiutl.
Here is a selection of the most significant items I found:
Sisiutl
A dramatic supernatural creature, the double headed Sea Serpent
is one of the most high ranking crests in Kwagiulth culture. Its
power possesses it to shift shape and transform from animal to man
at anytime. As well, a Sisiutl can change itself in to a self-propelled
canoe which the owner must feed with Seals. Touching the serpent or
even looking at it, or a glance from it, can cause death. Legends
say Shamans tried to kill the Sisiutl for its healing power and
magic. It's closely assocated with war and strength, death
and revival, so warriors try to kill it to rub its blood on
themselves to attain its skillful strength and become invulnerable.
A warrior would often wear a head band or belt in the image of a
Sisiutl to provide protection from harm.
Flakes of shiny mica found on beaches were thought to be the
discarded scales from the serpent body. Whether carved or
painted, the Sisiutl is depicted with a profile head, teeth and a
large curled tongue at each end of its serpetine form and in the
center is a human head. Fins run along its back and curled
appendages or horns rise from all three heads. The painted body
represents scales and it may be carved horizontally, formed into a
U-shape or coiled into a circle.
Sisiutl guarded the entrance to the homes of the supernatural. It
was painted on the sides of canoes and hung over doorways to protect
the inhabitants from evil spirits.
(http://www.nativeonline.com/legends.html#SISIUTL 3/03)
Sisiutl
A snake-spirit of the water in the Pacific coast region of North
America.
(http://www.pantheon.org/articles/s/sisiutl.html 3-03)
The Wasgo or Sisiutl: A Cryptozoological Sea-Animal of
the Pacific Northwest Coast of the Americas
Michael D. Swords, Western Michigan University, Department of
General Studies, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Various lines of soft evidence converge upon the tentative
conclusion that an unclassified sea-animal of significant size is
living, or at least recently lived, in the ocean waters of British
Columbia. This animal has had several names within the various
Amerindian cultures of that area, and has had a history among them
for many centuries. The animal species may be identical or similar
to other reported or historically pictured creatures worldwide.
(http://www.scientificexploration.org/jse/abstracts/v5n1a4.html
3/03)
MYTHOLOGY, PETROGLYPHS AND VIKING INDICATORS IN THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
It seems likely that if the Vikings had indeed passed through the
Pacific Northwest the impact of Viking ships might well have left an
indelible impression. How would they have been perceived? Remember,
these were the "Dragon Ships" with imposing dragon or
serpentine figureheads, often on prow and stern; easily
misunderstood as two-headed sea-monsters by the uninformed. Then
there would be the effect of the oars on either side of the ship -
quite a departure from local canoe paddling arrangements, here with
a predominantly horizontal motion rather than a vertical one, thus
almost "crab-like" in shallow waters. Furthermore, Vikings
coming ashore in a po tentially hostile situation might well have
used time-tested procedures - no "slack" marines here (if
they wanted to get back on the boat, that is). In other words, they
would most likely have come ashore behind their shields with speed
and efficiency or pay the price. At which point we may now examine
some of the more unusual Pacific Northwest maritime myths described
by Joseph F. Wherry
The Sisiutl, the two-headed serpent of the Kwakiutl, was a
supernatural creature said, in the lore of the British Columbia
coast and Vancouver Island, to be four feet in diameter and up to
twenty feet long. At times it was in league with Thunderbird and
made thunder and lightning. Its 'house" was either on land or
in water. The body had an identical head at each end, with a human
face, implying soul power, midway between. Almost always causing
death when encountered, it was all the more dangerous because it
could shrink itself to a tiny fraction of its true length.
(http://www.spirasolaris.ca/sbb4g1ev.html 3/03)
Sisiutl
In particular, the Supreme Court of Canada\rquote s 1997 decision
in Delgamuukw v. British Columbia infused greater flexibility into
the law of aboriginal rights. Case law now suggests three general
legal requirements exist for a successful novel claim under s.
35(1). In light of these requirements, this paper argues that
aboriginal peoples in Canada have constitutional grounds to seek
recognition of their customary intellectual property rights
regarding crests, songs, dances, etc. For example, in accordance
with the potlatch system of governance, it is arguable that members
of the Mamalilikala nation of the Kwakwak'wakw could successfully
claim an aboriginal right to exclusively use the Sisiutl and Sun
crest.
(http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/docs/Robbins.pdf 3/03)
Sisiutl
The Pacific Northwest of the United States and southwestern
Canada is possibly home to a creature more bizarre than the area's
most famous inhabitant, Bigfoot. If Indian tales are to be believed,
the waters near British Columbia are home to a creature they called
sea wolf, sisiutl, wasgo, haietlik, or any of several other names;
this creature is unique among cryptids by having been a totem animal
of several tribes, an honor shared only with the thunderbird.
Several native representations of the creature have been retrieved;
all depict a long, serpentine animal with small forelimbs and a
doglike or crocodilian head. A vivid description of the monster
appears in an Indian legend. Shortly the water of the lake began to
churn, and the head and finned for elegs of the Sea-Wolf, which some
call the Wasgo, appeared near the surface. As the huge beast rose
through the open trap, snapping at the bait...the split cedar
snapped shut on the monster, breaking its back. In spite of this
injury, the Sea-Wolf snarled and pawed and thrashed. The Kwakiutl
tribe, who lived on the British Columbian coast north of the present
city of Bella Coola specified that sisiutl was an animal that was
"of the earth", not one of the mythical creatures of the
sea; this distinctly shows that the Pacific Northwest tribes were
convinced of the animal's existence. As far north as Alaska, the
Inuit (Eskimos) spoke of the tirichik, mauraa, nikaseenithulooyee,
akhlut, or palraiyuk, a creature which seems analogous with the
Sea-Wolf of further south, if not for its six legs. Roy P. Mackal
sums up reports of Canadian lake serpents in Searching for Hidden
Animals; the picture he ends up with is of a creature very much like
the Sea-Wolf. He goes on to speculate that the lake monsters are
actually a surviving populations of a type of primitive whale called
a zeuglodon. Is the Sea-Wolf, too, a zeuglodon? As a final note,
depictions of what may be the same animal as the Sea-Wolf have been
found as far south as the Nazca Plain, in Peru. One of the famous
"Nazca lines" depicts a whale-like sea monster, complete
with two forelimbs, crocodilian snout, and large eyes.
(http://www.wolfsource.org/folklore.html 3/03)
Sisiutl (Kwagiutl)
A mythical two-headed sea serpent that guarded the entrance to
the homes of the supernaturals, Sisiutl was believed to kill and eat
anyone who saw it; washing in its blood turned a person to stone.
Transformed into a self-propelled canoe that must be fed seals, this
is a creature unique to Kwagiutl mythology.
(http://www.tourismvictoria.com/Content/EN/604.asp 3/03)
Sisiutl
Sisiutl is a mythical Kwakwaka'wakw creature. Awesome Sisiutl
guarded the entrance to the houses of supernatural creatures.
Sisiutl was frequently painted over the doorways of houses for
protection. Sisiutl is always portrayed with a human face at the
center of the body. From each side of the central head protrudes an
appendix which terminates with a head at each end, traditionally a
head in profile. All three heads share similar features. Each has a
set of curl ing horns and large round nostrils. The face in the
central position is more like that of a human, the eyes are rounded
and the mouth shows full teeth which are sometimes pointed. The
heads at the protruding ends are less like human heads and display a
mo uth with well-defined canine teeth and a long tongue which
protruding like that of the serpent.
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