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Narrative

The artist recounted the origin myth of the mask, basically as follows: while 4 brothers were goat hunting they sought refuge from a thunderstorm in a cave. Three brothers came out to see the storm's dance. They lost their eyesight and were struck by lightning. The fourth brother, who remained hidden, took the dance back to the Bella Coola. He made the first thunder mask.

Iconographic Meaning

Thunder is the most powerful supernatural being and consequently his dance is an important part of the Kusiut cycle. He is associated with thunderstorms.

Cultural Context

contemporary art; winter ceremonies; Kusiut

Description

Painted dance mask with twig headdress and cedar bark fringe. Mask has a very bulbous black forehead with white painted ridge above and below curving eyebrow band. Eyes are close to nose with round hole outlined in white and enclosed by a black eye-shape. A blue contoured teardrop shape expands out on both sides surrounded by a white band. Large hooked nose with white tip and curving band dividing the black top from the red bottom and extending to corners of mouth. Very large triangular nostrils on underside of nose. Tip of nose meets large rounded chin. Deep-set mouth is slightly opening showing 2 rows of even white teeth. Red curving, contoured split u-shapes on cheeks. There is a lip around outside of mask, painted with large blue circles. The areas between are natural cedar. Three partially red painted fir boughs (without needles) are mounted into metal springs in the top of the mask, 2 with masking tape and one with leather. White ostrich feathers are attached by white thread at 5 places and around cedar bark tuff at top front. Tuff is braided to sides. Cedar bark fringe on top back is loosely tied together with white string dyed brown. The string end has passed through hole on side where leather thong is tied. Thong also ties on opposite side and at top, centre. Thong is looped at centre back. Bottom cedar bark fringe is attached to bottom of mask with string which is loosely tied across fringe in 2 rows. Cedar bark strands alternate between natural and red dyed. Inside of mask is partially covered with red sprayed paint.

History Of Use

Traditionally, the Bella Coola had two dance societies which performed masked dances. The first is the 'Sisaok' which were performed in connection with major intergroup potlatches in October, and were closely associated with the mythical origins of clans, ancestral events and the establishing and conferring of rights, privileges and prestige. The second is Kusiut Society, which performed during the winter ceremonial season. These performances were more directly related to supernatural beings, although membership still depended on the validation of ancestral prerogatives. Since thunder was the most powerful supernatural being for the Bella Coola, the thunder dance was an important part of the Kusuit cycle. Traditionally, thunder dances were performed separately or as part of the long and elaborate mystery dance cycle. Thunder dances could also be performed outside of the ceremonial season whenever a manifestation of the patron (thunderstorm) occurred (McIlwraith). Thunder was usually danced twice in succession, but because the mask was very heavy, the dancer may be switched between dances. The second dance is performed with a rattle of smouldering bark. After the second dance, the 'rainwater' dancer drenches the crowd. The thunder dancer wears a cedar bark collar with pendant tassels and a headpiece of twigs with eagle down. Contemporary thunder dances may be performed by 2 dancers simultaneously and, according to Stott, they are no longer confined to winter ceremonials.