U'mista Cultural Society

The Potlatch Gallery

View of north side of the Potlatch Gallery, ceremonial regalia mounted along the wall to the right of the viewer. Image shows a section of the north side of the Potlatch Gallery in which a speaker’s staff, a dzunakwa mask, four mourning masks and two copper shields are displayed. Image of a corner of the Potlatch Gallery close to the entrance View of the entrance wall at the east end of the Potlatch Gallery.

« Back to Label List

Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ – Man-Eater-at-the-North-End-of-the-World

Still image of BAXWBAKWALANUKSIWE’ – MAN-EATER-AT-THE-NORTH-END-OF-THE-WORLD mask shot against a black background

Not much is known about this mask, but, some researchers believe it represents Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’. When Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’ possesses the spirit of a dancer, the dancer becomes a Hamat´sa. The Hamat´sa is the most sacred dance of the Kwakwaka’wakw.

Owner: Kwaxalanukwame’, Johnny Drabble, Dzawada’enuxw (Kingcome Inlet)

Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’

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