U'mista Cultural Society

The Potlatch Gallery

Image of the south side of the Potlatch Gallery showing a collection of potlatch regalia mounted against the wall. Image of the south-west corner of the Potlatch Gallery showing a group of masks. Image shows a darkened corner of the Potlatch Gallery with a group of Numaml masks on the left. View of the North wall corner towards the centre and south wall of the Potlatch Gallery.

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Dzunuk´wa - Giant of the Woods

Colour photograph of Dzunukwa - Giant of The Woods mask shot against a black background

In most Dzunuk´wa legends, this giant of the woods is female, black in colour, with messy hair, exposed breasts and a puckered mouth. She is a terrifying and threatening creature who carries a huge basket on her back into which she puts the mischievous children she captures. Although Dzunuk´wa is a giant, she is easily out-witted by children as she is not so smart and very clumsy.

Owner of Mask: He’wasa, Da’naxda’xw (New Vancouver)

Owner of Hands: Mrs. He’wasa, Awa’etłala (Knight Inlet)

Owner: T´sandigan ’Nage’, Harry Mountain, Mamalilikala (Village Island)

Owner: T´łakwa, Sam Scow, ’Namgis (Alert Bay)

Owner: Price Bruce

Dzunuk´wa & Gikamł

A Dzunukwa or wild woman of the woods mask with hands attached to mount, pursed lips painted red, mostly black with white paint details on face and hands.

Dzunuk´wa
A Dzunuk´wa or wild woman of the woods mask, deep carved, dark paint with red lips cheek and ears, holes drilled in scalp where hair had been attached.

Dzunuk´wa
A Dzunuk´wa or wild woman of the woods mask, deep carved, dark smoky paint with dark red on nose and pursed lips, tufts of hair falling to one side.

Dzunuk´wa
A Dzunuk´wa or wild woman of the woods mask, black stained wood with dark red on nose and cheeks, eyes and nostrils, short tufts of hair on scalp, worn fur patches.

Gikamł