Our Language

Kwak´wala

Kwakwaka’wakw means, “the people who speak Kwak´wala.” Our alphabet includes 43 characters. Our language is officially endangered, but we are working hard to keep it alive.

Download Alphabet (PDF 1.9MB) Get Adobe Reader

A Dzunuḱwa 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.

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

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

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

Line drawing of Dłaxwi'mił an attendant who accompanies dancers on floor, young boy wears a tunic over shirt and pants, he carries a rattle.

A Dzunuḱwa 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.

Colour photograph Vera Newman with two young girls, all seated on a beautifully carved and painted bench wearing bright and colourful button blankets with cedar headdresses.

A Dzunuḱwa 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.

G

Gikamł (Chief’s Dzunuk´wa Mask)

A Dzunuḱwa 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.

Black and white photograph shows a couple (presumed mother and son) handing out gifts of money at a potlatch.

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

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

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

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

Woman seated on platform above two carved wooden figures. She wears a woven hat, large earrings, nose ring and cedar shawl.

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

A Kenku or supernatural crane-like bird with a long narrow black beak, flared nostrils, crane like appearance.

Colour photograph taken in the big house at a potlatch, showing a long banquet table set with serving dishes of salmon and vegetables.

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

Figures are seated or standing on the beach in front of a large stack of flours sacks with a few small wooden buildings to their left.

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

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

Colour photograph shot in a darkened big house with a bright fire burning in the foreground, totem poles and dance screen in background.

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

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

Colour photograph shows the bow section of a canoe, brightly painted figures adorn the hull.

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

A large group of celebrants appear standing and dancing around a fire in the center of the bighouse.

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

Brightly coloured illustration of octopus with orange red body, green and black markings on head and face, 8 tentacles.

Row of young men seated at a Tamidzu or drum log, behind them is a totem pole and dance screen.

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

Colour photograph at potlatch in big house of dancer in regalia demonstrating the Tseka or red cedar bark ceremony.

Colour photograph at potlatch in big house of Tłalkwała or ladies dance, two women dressed in dance aprons, button blankets, cedar headdresses.

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

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.

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

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.

Colour photograph shows 20 paddlers in a Xwakwana or large tradition kwakwakw'wakw canoe.

Black and white historic photograph of mature adult male, long hair and moustache wearing a carved headdress in the figure of a loon.

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.

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

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