History Totem pole

totem poles , houses @ ksan, near hazelton, british columbia.

totem poles serve important illustrations of family lineage , cultural heritage of native peoples in islands , coastal areas of north america s pacific northwest, british columbia, canada, , coastal areas of washington , southeastern alaska in united states. families of traditional carvers come haida, tlingit, tsimshian, kwakwaka’wakw (kwakiutl), nuxalk (bella coola), , nuu-chah-nulth (nootka), among others. poles typically carved highly rot-resistant trunks of thuja plicata trees (popularly known giant cedar or western red cedar), decay in moist, rainy climate of coastal pacific northwest. because of region s climate , nature of materials used make poles, few examples carved before 1900 remain. noteworthy examples, dating far 1880, include @ royal british columbia museum in victoria , museum of anthropology @ ubc in vancouver.

totem poles largest, not only, objects coastal pacific northwest natives use depict spiritual reverence, family legends, sacred beings , culturally important animals, people, or historical events. freestanding poles seen region s first european explorers preceded long history of decorative carving. stylistic features of these poles borrowed earlier, smaller prototypes, or interior support posts of house beams.

although 18th-century accounts of european explorers traveling along coast indicate decorated interior , exterior house posts existed prior 1800, posts smaller , fewer in number in subsequent decades. prior 19th century, lack of efficient carving tools, along sufficient wealth , leisure time devote craft, delayed development of elaborately carved, freestanding poles. before iron , steel arrived in area, natives used tools made of stone, shells, or beaver teeth carving. process slow , laborious; axes unknown. late eighteenth century, use of metal cutting tools enabled more complex carvings , increased production of totem poles. tall monumental poles appearing in front of native homes in coastal villages did not appear until after beginning of nineteenth century.

eddie malin has proposed totem poles progressed house posts, funerary containers, , memorial markers symbols of clan , family wealth , prestige. argues haida people of islands of haida gwaii originated carving of poles, , practice spread outward tsimshian , tlingit, , down coast indigenous people of british columbia , northern washington. malin s theory supported photographic documentation of pacific northwest coast s cultural history , more sophisticated designs of haida poles.

accounts 1700s describe , illustrate carved poles , timber homes along coast of pacific northwest. nineteenth century, widespread importation of iron , steel tools great britain, united states, , elsewhere led easier , more rapid production of carved wooden goods, including poles.

alaskan totem poles @ 1893 chicago world columbian exposition



totem poles in front of houses in alert bay, british columbia in 1900s

in 19th century, american , european trade , settlement led growth of totem pole carving, united states , canadian policies , practices of acculturation , assimilation caused decline in development of alaska native , first nations cultures , crafts, , sharply reduced totem pole production end of century. between 1830 , 1880, maritime fur trade, mining, , fisheries gave rise accumulation of wealth among coastal peoples. of spent , distributed in lavish potlatch celebrations, associated construction , erection of totem poles. monumental poles commissioned wealthy family leaders represent social status , importance of families , clans. in 1880s , 1890s, tourists, collectors, scientists , naturalist interested in native culture collected , photographed totem poles , other artifacts, many of put on display @ expositions such 1876 centennial exposition in philadelphia, pennsylvania, , 1893 world s columbia exposition in chicago, illinois.

in 19th , 20th centuries, before passage of american indian religious freedom act in 1978, practice of native religion outlawed, , traditional ingidgenous cultural practices discouraged christian missionaries. included carving of totem poles. missionaries urged converts cease production , destroy existing poles. totem pole making had ceased 1901. carving of monumental , mortuary poles continued in some, more remote native villages late 1905; however, native sites abandoned, poles , timber homes left decay , vandalism.

beginning in late 1930s, combination of cultural, linguistic, , artistic revivals, along scholarly interest , continuing fascination , support of educated , empathetic public, led renewal , extension of artistic tradition. in 1938 united states forest service began program reconstruct , preserve old poles, salvaging 200, one-third of known standing @ end of 19th century. renewed interest in native arts , traditions in 1960s , 1970s, freshly carved totem poles erected , down coast, while related artistic production introduced in many new , traditional media, ranging tourist trinkets masterful works in wood, stone, blown , etched glass, , other traditional , non-traditional media.