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Living Tradition, The Kwakwaka'wakw Potlatch on the Northwest Coast

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U'mista Cultural Society | Exploring the Potlatch Collection

A carved, wooden staff with figure on the bottom, five coppers and a carved wooden skull at the top staff.

A Chief's Dzunuk´wa mask and copper breaker, mask is deeply carved, dark with red patches, light hair trim.

Cedar mourning mask. Eyebrows, eyelids, moustache and goatee black. Red lips and vertical double lines on face. Cotton back.

A mourning mask red cedar with painted black eyebrows pupils and moustache. Red paint drips on the forehead, below eyes and lips.

Mourning mask with red paint drips representing blood on forehead, cheeks and chin. Black painted goatee, lips and eyebrows.

Mourning mask red paint drips on forehead, cheeks and chin. Black moustache and eyebrows. Eye holes on upper cheek.

A copper made from several pieces riveted together, surface is uneven with etched crest design and numerous repairs.

A large, well worn copper with etched design of a bird with beak and ears on top of the head.

Ancestral spirit mask with rattle, brightly painted in green, white, black and red with cedar bundles top and sides.

An Imas ancestor mask with a carved band atop, dramatic face paint in black and red, grimacing expression, cloth back at back.

Speaker mask. Bright blue paint around eyes and bridge of nose, black paint markings on forehead, cheeks, nose and lips. Fur attached to brow and chin.

A large whale mask, black green and white painted markings with articulating mouth, fins and tail.

A mystical raven mask with long hinged beak, black, white and red painted markings with braided cedar back, top and below.

A large and monstrous Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ mask, surrounded by cedar trim with two mouths, two protruding beak figures and skull figure in mouth.

Large raven mask with long black hinged beak, red mouth and nostrils, white patch around eyes with cedar bark trip atop and draping from back and sides.

Raven mask with long hinged beak, mostly black with red trim, carved nostrils white areas around eyes and beside nostrils, cedar trim on top and below.

A raven mask, brightly painted with hinged wings, clasping a carved ermine figure in its beak, below which is a sisyutl or serpent figure.

Large and complex four-headed mask, main dominant head, one smaller head above and two smaller heads protrude, all of similar shape with cedar braids and fringe.

A supernatural man-eating bird, with raven like features, elaborate carved detail, mostly black with white and red markings and cedar trim.

A raven headdress, dark appearance, hinged beak with green paint around eyes, red trim around beak and nostrils with thin and worn cedar trim.

Forest spirit mask, humanoid features, mostly white face with red lips and prominent black eyebrows, cloth and cedar drape on back.

Forest spirit mask, mostly white face, deeply carved features, black paint eyebrows and around eyes, cloth and leather strips attached to back.

A small forest spirit mask, mostly white face, pursed red lips, prominent black eyebrows, long cedar trim draping from top and back.

A large forest spirit mask, mostly white, red lips, large open mouth, some cedar trim on back and sides. Eyes are painted. Mask has no eyeholes.

Forest spirit mask, feminine appearance, red lips and trim surrounding nostrils, rosy cheeks and long cedar bark trim.

Atłak´ima or imitator mask, mostly white washed with bulging hinged eyes, red paint lips and around nostrils, thick black eyebrows and cedar bark trim.

A small and mostly white-washed mask, ghostly appearance, thin pursed lips, pale while markings for eyes, absent of eyeholes and nostrils, lacks trim.

Large deaf man mask, lacks eyeholes, tufts of horsehair above, black bands of paint around eyes, mostly red and black markings on face, sad expression.

A Yadan or large rattle and Imas or Ancestor Mask painted in black, green, red and white with cedar bundles on top and sides.

Sisiyutł or double-headed serpent, mostly unpainted wood with painted green, black and red markings above and around eyes and mouth, hinged at the sides.

Sea serpent headdress and belt, central human face and braided cedar sides on belt, carved serpent heads protruding tongues, curved horns and upturned nose.

A K´enk´u or supernatural crane-like bird with a long narrow black beak, flared nostrils, crane like appearance.

A K´enk´u or supernatural crane-like bird with a long narrow black beak, flared nostrils, crane like appearance.

Łałkuxwiwe' or mallard headdress features a loon head and neck projecting above the hawk face frontlet, carved wooden feathers and wing.

T'lakwamut or fragment of copper, heavily worn, likely broken from a larger copper, remaining top right section, riveted pieces with faint inscription.

T'lakwamut, painted black etched face design rough edges and irregular shape.

A Nan or bear mask with long black muzzle, red paint lips and snout, two rows of teeth, leather drape at back.

Xisiwe’ or wolf mask, one of several with long snout and large teeth, painted red and black with plaid cotton head cover.

A Nanis or sea dog mask with long muzzle open mouth and sharp teeth, green paint surrounding eyes, sheep skin attached at back.

Xisiwe’ or wolf mask, one of several with long snout and large teeth, painted red and black with fragment of plain cotton head cover.

Xisiwe’ or wolf mask, one of several with long snout and large teeth, painted red and black with plaid cotton head cover, prominent upright ears.

Xisiwe’ or wolf mask, one of several with long snout and large teeth, snarling expression, painted red and black with mottled pattern cotton head cover.

Xisiwe’ or wolf mask, one of several with long snout and large teeth, painted red and black with fragment of plain cotton head cover.

Nan or grizzly bear mask with claws made of whale bone, attached to stand by wire supports, mask is painted black and green with red and white detailing.

A Nułamał or fool dancer, thin long face, comical expression, very large hooked and upturned nose with long nostrils.

A Nułamał or fool dancer, clown like expression, enormous downturned nose, red nostrils and lips, black markings with cedar and hair trim.

A Nułamał or fool dancer exaggerated nose with additional projection near bridge; large nostrils painted red; moustache and goatee painted black.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Headdress representing mosquito, black paint with green and red, long projecting proboscis, plain cotton head cover at back.

Kulus or down-covered bird, hooked beak of pale green, pale blue-grey patches around eyes, cotton and feather head cover.

Kulus or down-covered bird, hooked bill painted green, orange-red trim, round mirror eyes, hinged jaw, numerous nail fragments evidence missing attachments.

Kulus or down-covered bird, carved from cedar, broad curved beak, hinged lower jaw, mottled cloth head cover with nail fragments and rust blotches.

Tłakwa or copper shield, parts of the upper and lower section have been cut off, complex and heavily worn pattern, mottled surface texture.

A Haietlik or serpent mask, elaborately carved with numerous cut-out parts, colourful markings in pale blue, green and red, feather trim, hinged lower jaw.

Haietlik or serpent mask, long open-box shape, richly decorated with yellow, pale blue, black and red markings, cedar bark head cover at back.

Xwixwi mask representing red snapper or cod, shown with sea shell rattles. Large protruding eyes, drooping tongue, 4 animal figures project from temples and cheeks.

Xwixwi mask representing red snapper or cod angular corolla design decorated with black design elements incorporating circles and crescent shapes.

Gwa'wina or raven mask, dark muted colours, green patches around eyes, hinged lower beak, fragments of cedar rigging.

Gwa'wina or raven mask, lacks colouration, roughly carved and right eye unfinished, natural cedar.

T'lakwa Copper, small and short in size, fine condition with three rows of chevron pattern decoration below an embossed cross shape.

Yaxwiwe' or Beaver Headdress, beaver on frontlet shown with twig in mouth, tail rising above, long ermine and cloth head cover, sea lion whisker crown.

Yaxwiwe' or Hawk Headdress, abalone shell encircles hawk face on frontlet, feathers and sea lion whiskers above and at sides, long ermine and cotton train.

A large Maxinuxw or killer whale mask, numerous carved and hinged parts - dorsal fin, side fins, jaw and fluke, brightly painted black, green, red and white.

A large Maxinuxw or killer whale mask, numerous hinged parts, dorsal fins, flipper and tail, black red and white markings, pale green beak which projects over the upper jaw.

’Makwala or moon mask, red painted circular shape surrounds face which is painted white with green patches around eyes, black, orange yellow patterns.

A ’Makwala or moon mask carved of cedar with blue patches around eyes and radial pattern around face.

Kwigwis or sea eagle costume of denim jacket, sewn or tied bunches of feathers, painted and carved wooden feathers hung from arms.

Kwigwis or boot shaped leggings depicting a salmon with the scales and the head of the fish with bird talons around the salmon.

Kulus or down-covered bird, carved from cedar, broad curved beak, hinged lower jaw, mottled cloth head cover with nail fragments and rust blotches.

Kwigwis or eagle mask, yellow beak, green patches around eyes, red below beak and behind eyes, feather and cotton head covering.

Kwigwis or eagle mask, yellow beak, blue patches around eyes, red outline mouth, black cotton head covering.

Tłisalagamł or sun mask, bright yellow patches surround eyes, red lips and nose, 10 scalloped shapes encircle face.

Sapagamł or echo mask, green and black with white red trim, interchangeable mouthpiece shown with bear.

Sapagamł or echo mask, green and black with white red trim, interchangeable mouthpiece shown with wolf.

Sapagamł or echo mask, green and black with white red trim, interchangeable mouthpiece shown with raven.

Imas - Three faced mask, large dark ancestral spirit mask two small faces carved at either side of mouth, black with green red and white details, some hair fragments.

Gangananamis or children of the land mask, tall forehead, elfin appearance, mostly unpainted.

Daxdaxalułamł or Owl Mask, brightly coloured and patterned in black, red, green and white, cotton head covering.

Bakwas mask with two coiled snakes atop highly arched eyebrows, brass disks with perforated centres for eyes, a beak-like nose, feather trim.

A salmon headdress, topped by a carved whale, two side and two tale fins attached, cedar with black and red details.

Yaxwiwe' or chief's headdress, round in shape, abalone teeth and eye, carved bird shape atop with cloth and ermine train.

Yaxwiwe' frontlet with brightly painted hawk face surrounded by abalone inlays, sea lion whiskers, cotton and ermine train.

Yaxwiwe' frontlet, carved wood hexagonal shape with blue and green sections, central bird face with whale figure above, ermine and sea lion whisker trim.

Kneecaps with frog faces, feathers attached, part of Bak´was costume, black and green with red mouth.

Belt in the shape of a snake in two parts, with two heads, striped cloth band, carved wooden heads, tied with cords.

Two carved salamander figures, attached to forearms with string, painted bright green, part of a Bak´was or Wild Man of the Woods costume.

Belt in the shape of a SISIYUTŁ or two headed serpent, part of a Bak´was or Wild Man of the Woods costume.

A pair of glove shaped rattles, each finger carved in animal shapes , part of a Bak´was or Wild Man of the Woods costume.

Dance apron with floral motif and two longer rows of bells at the bottom and a shorter row above those. The design is beaded and the main background colour of the apron is burgundy with a red border.

Tsep or dance apron, black background with red trim, embroidered ravens and abstract floral designs with puffin beaks, thimbles and bullet casings.

Tsep or dance apron, dark green with tan and red trim, sewn in four sections with 4 horizontal rows of puffin beaks.

Tłagakwaxawa'yi cedar bark neck ring with long braided tassels part of Hamaťsa regalia.

Tłagakwaxawa'yi cedar bark neck ring with short braided tassels in four bundles, part of Hamaťsa regalia.

Tłagakwame' or headpiece, squarish shape, complex pattern of woven red cedar.

Tłagakwame' woven cedar head headpiece with four cedar bundles around top edge and cedar tassels at both hind corners.

Tłagakwame' or cedar bark headpiece, comprising rows of cedar bark sewn to an inner cedar bark ring.

A torus shaped headdress of red cedar bark, formed by wrapping bark around wool loop, bundle of cedar front and two cedar tassels on back side.

Tłagakwaxawa'yi or cedar bark neck ring, formed by coiling cedar strips around woolen core, adorned with smaller cedar rings and some fringe.

Kawatsi or Bentwood box, made of cedar, simple design of carved horizontal lines with a 5-7cm border of plain wood.

A Kawatsi or Treasure Box with lid, carved and painted on three sides, back side is unfinished.

A Kawatsi or Treasure Box with lid, cedar with black and red ornamentation.

Dalalagamł or raven transformation mask opens to reveal a human face. Black, green, red, white.

Yaxwiwe' or killer whale frontlet, pentagonal shape, sea lion whiskers and fur trim, abalone inlays.

Yaxwiwe' or Raven frontlet, mirror pieces for eyes and around face, cloth and feather head band, sea lion whisker atop.

A Yadan or rattle in the shape of a bird, one of a group, carved in cedar, black with green and red markings.

A Yadan or rattle in the shape of a bird, one of a group, carved in cedar, black with green and red markings.

A Yadan or rattle in the shape of a bird, one of a group, carved in cedar, black with green and red markings.

A Yadan or rattle in the shape of a bird, one of a group, carved in cedar, black with green and red markings.

Bird mask

A 'Na'nalalał or weather mask, long red proboscis over a curved beak painted black with red edges, green patches around eyes, cloth head band.

Hayakantalał or speaker mask, carved cedar, largely unpainted with black, red, white and green markings.

Hayakantalał, carved wood with holes for eyes and mouth, green patches around eyes, black markings with painted hand symbols on each cheek.

A white-faced mask, small circular eyeholes, red paint on lips and surrounding nostrils, bright red fabric rigging.

A white-faced mask, open mouth and round eyeholes surrounded by bands of green, red around nostrils, black widow's peak and eyebrow.

A white-faced mask, patches of red around squinting eyeholes, nostrils and lips, think moustache, heavy brow.

Tłagakwame' or cedar bark headpiece, comprising two bands of woven cedar bark sewn together, two bundles of cedar strips at front and back.

Tłagakwame' or cedar bark headpiece, comprising rows of cedar bark sewn to an inner cotton band, woven cedar bark cords around top.

Tłagakwaxawa'yi or neck ring, part of cedar bark regalia, two bands of woven and twisted cedar bark cords in oval shape with four groups of tasseled cords.

Tłagakwaxawa'yi or neck ring, part of cedar bark regalia, woven and twisted cedar bark cords in oval shape with four groups of tasseled cords.

Tłagakwaxawa'yi or neck ring, woven and twisted circular band of red cedar bark with tassels attached in four bundles.

Kwasanuma mourning mask, carved of cedar with black eyebrows, round eyeholes, paint dripping from eyes and cheeks, mournful expression.

Kwasanuma or mourning mask, cedar with red drips of paint below eyes, cross-hatch pattern in red on cheeks, mournful expression.

Atłakima or Dance of the Forest Spirits Mask, white-washed face with cedar bark beard, natural hair.

Atłakima or Forest Spirits Mask, white- washed cedar, rounded face shape with cedar bark hair and cotton back, dark prominent moustache and eyebrows.

Atłakima or Forest Spirits Mask, white- washed cedar, square face shape with wide thick bright red lips, dark eyebrows with some cedar trim for hair.

Wawaxanuwilana (Ground Preparer) mask, a type of Atłakima Forest Spirits Mask white washed with black markings on cheeks, pursed red lips with moustache.

Dzunukwa or Wild Woman of the Woods, deeply carved, near black finish, large pursed lips and tufts of hair.

Haietlik or sea serpent mask, painted with geometric designs in a wide range of colours.

Hayakantalał spearker mask, light blue bands around eyes, black stripes on cheek, chin patch eyebrows and moustache.

Xisiwe' WOLF MASK bright blue surrounding eyes, large upright ears, red trip around mouth and nose, menacing appearance.

Bakwas mask, beak-like blue hooked nose, perforated brass disk for eyes surrounded by dark green patches, red, white and black facial markings, head covering of feathers mixed with hair, brightly coloured ribbons and cloth, sharp pointed ears.

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