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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Xwixwi Mask

Colour photograph of Xwixwi mask front view shot against a black background

The Xwixwi dance originated from the only masked dance of the Coast Salish – the Sxwayxwey. This dance came to the Kwakwaka’wakw through war or marriage. The Kwakwaka’wakw believe the Xwixwi is the Red Snapper (locally called Red Cod) which is why the Xwixwi masks usually have large bulging eyes and a long tongue.

Owner of Mask: T´saxt´sagisa, Moos Moos Tom, ’Namgis (Alert Bay)

Xwixwi