Alaskan Indians and Their Totem Poles

The native Alaskan Indians, notably the Haida migrated to the Alaskan coast from Canada in the 1700s. These Indians respected nature and all living things. Their very livelihood depended on the weather and the animals living around them. Since ancient times, the Haida learned to carve monuments from the local trees and became experts at this art. Their precise working of wood and also bone was unsurpassed. These monuments are called totems or totem poles and were huge trees carved with human and animal forms that depicted ones family or clan's history and any major events in their history and then they were erected.

The Haida settled into the southeastern strip of Alaska on the seacoast and therefore had an abundance of seafood and land animals to hunt. This gave these people the opportunity to live in permanent villages. Since they didn't have to be constantly on the move to find food, they had more leisure time and this helped in developing their rich artistic culture which included making totems.

When the Indians moved to south Alaska, there were plenty of red cedar trees. They used these particular trees to build their homes, carve out canoes and also to carve out totems. The red cedar tree can grow over 170 feet tall and live for more than 1,000 years! They are also naturally resistant to rot and insects and since cedar is a soft wood, its easier to carve a totem pole out of this kind of tree.

When the tree is cut down in the forest, the Indians hollowed it out to make for a lighter load and hauled it to the village. Then the carving was started. The chief of the village decided what was to be carved on the newly cut tree. This tradition has been handed down through many generations. Some of the animals for example, had to be carved to conform to a certain traditional standard. This art of carving totems was learned and perfected and then passed down from father to son for generations. And these totem pole carvers were highly respected within their village!

The carver first starts at the upper end of the pole, carefully carving out his design and then finishes at the bottom end of the pole. The tools used to do this were varied and included knives, chisels and drills made out of stone, bones and teeth. Stone hammers and wedges were also used. After the pole was finished, it was painted. In the olden times, the poles were painted on only the defining areas to give them emphasis, but today the totems are usually seen painted completely. The paints were made from different elements such as carbon, iron copper and seashells. They were then mixed with salmon eggs and applied.

When the totem was ready to be erected, a large party or potlatch was held. There was dancing and feasting and general merriment while the pole was erected. The owner of the totem hosted this grand event.

Since the climate of coastal Alaska can be quite damp, the totems normally lasted only about one lifetime. If a pole fell over, it was either left there to rot and return to the earth, or chopped up for firewood. But many of the exquisite examples of these native Alaskan totems are shown in museums throughout the country. Go to a museum and enjoy these incredible works of art!

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Alaska

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