The massive wood carvings unique to the Indian peoples of the Northwest Coast arouse a sense of wonder in all who see them. This guide helps the reader to understand and enjoy the form and meaning of totem poles and other sculptures. The author describes the origin and place of totem poles in Indian culture – as ancestral emblems, as expressions of wealth and power, as ceremonial objects, as mythological symbols, and as magnificent artistic works of the people of the Pacific Northwest.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Indian Cultures of the Northwest Coast
Wealth
Family
Mythology
Ceremony
Carving
What is a Totem Pole?
Totemism
Totem Poles
Totem Pole Types
The Antiquity of Totem Poles
Totem Poles Today
Contemporary Sculpture
The Raven and the First Men
Suggestions on How to Look at Totem Poles
1 The Skill of the Carver
2 Recognizing Life Forms
3 Differences in Cultural Styles
List of Totem Poles and Other Large Sculptures on Display in the U.B.C. Museum of Anthropology and on its Grounds
Suggested Reading
Photographic Credits